Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 54

Śrāddha-vidhi for Pitṛs: Invitations, Purity, Offerings, and Conduct

Devanagari script

अथ पिण्डावशिष्टान्नं विधिना भोजयेद् द्विजान् / मांसान्यपूपान् विविधान् दद्यात् कृसरपायसम्

Transliteration

atha piṇḍāvaśiṣṭānnaṃ vidhinā bhojayed dvijān / māṃsānyapūpān vividhān dadyāt kṛsarapāyasam

Translation

次に、定められた作法により、ピンダ供養の残食をもって二度生まれ（dvija）を饗し、さらに種々の肉とアープーパ（apūpa）の菓子を施し、クṛサラ（kṛsara、混ぜ飯）とパーヤサ（pāyasa、甘い乳粥）をも供えるべきである。

Word by Word

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle: 'then'

• piṇḍa-avaśiṣṭa-annam: food left over from the piṇḍas
• piṇḍa-avaśiṣṭa-annam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: piṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + avaśiṣṭa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: 'food remaining from the piṇḍas'

• vidhinā: according to the prescribed rule
• vidhinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; 'according to rule/by procedure'

• bhojayet: should feed
• bhojayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhuj (धातु) [causative भोजयति]
• Form: Causative verb; Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada; 'should feed'

• dvijān: Brahmins (twice-born)
• dvijān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• māṃsāni: meats
• māṃsāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māṃsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• apūpān: cakes (apūpas)
• apūpān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• vividhān: various
• vividhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vividha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; qualifying apūpān (and/or offerings)

• dadyāt: should give
• dadyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: Verb; Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada; 'should give'

• kṛsara-pāyasam: kṛsara and pāyasa (sweet rice)
• kṛsara-pāyasam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛsara (प्रातिपदिक) + pāyasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Dvandva (itaretara): 'kṛsara and pāyasa' as a combined offering

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the Kurma Purana’s dharma instructions as taught in the tradition)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Piṇḍa
• Śrāddha
• Dvija
• Kṛsara
• Pāyasa
• Apūpa

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

This verse is primarily procedural (śrāddha-vidhi) and does not directly define Ātman; it supports dharma by prescribing offerings and hospitality, which the Purana treats as a purifying foundation for higher spiritual pursuit.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No direct yogic technique is taught in this line; the emphasis is on disciplined rite (vidhi), purity, and dāna—ethical-ritual supports that the Kurma Purana links with steadiness of mind required for later yoga teachings (including Pāśupata-oriented discipline).

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

This specific verse does not mention Śiva or Viṣṇu explicitly; it reflects the Purana’s integrative dharma framework in which proper ancestral rites and offerings are upheld across Shaiva-Vaishnava practice as part of a single sacred order.