Shloka 27
Varṇāśrama-ācāra, Aśauca (Sūtaka) Regulations, and Prāyaścitta with Funeral-Rite Notes
औरसः क्षेत्रजः पुत्रः पितृजौ पिण्डदौ पितुः / परिवित्तेस्तु कृच्छ्रं स्यात्कन्यायाः कृच्छ्रमेव च
aurasaḥ kṣetrajaḥ putraḥ pitṛjau piṇḍadau pituḥ / parivittestu kṛcchraṃ syātkanyāyāḥ kṛcchrameva ca
ഔരസനും ക്ഷേത്രജനും—ഈ രണ്ടു പുത്രന്മാരാണ് പിതാവിന് പിണ്ഡം അർപ്പിക്കുന്നവർ എന്നു സ്മൃതിയിൽ പറയുന്നു. എന്നാൽ ജ്യേഷ്ഠനെ മറികടന്ന് വിവാഹം ചെയ്തവന് (പരിവിത്തി) കൃച്ഛ്ര പ്രായശ്ചിത്തം വരും; കന്യയുടെ കാര്യത്തിലും കൃച്ഛ്ര തന്നെയാണ് വിധി.
Lord Viṣṇu (teaching Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Śrāddha occasions (tithi-based; also applicable to annual rites) where piṇḍadātṛ is determined.
Concept: Only certain sons are primary piṇḍadāna agents for the father; specific social breaches entail kṛcchra penance.
Vedantic Theme: Karma and saṃskāra as regulators of social-ritual order; duty (svadharma) sustains ṛṇa (pitṛ-ṛṇa).
Application: In śrāddha planning, identify the rightful piṇḍadātā; where ‘parivitti’ or related breach is alleged, consult a dharma authority for appropriate prāyaścitta (kṛcchra).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.107 (context: śrāddha/putra-dharma/prāyaścitta)
FAQs
This verse identifies who is ritually authorized to offer piṇḍa to the father, highlighting piṇḍa-dāna as a key filial duty that supports ancestral rites (śrāddha) and continuity of obligations to the Pitṛs.
While not describing Yama’s path directly, it establishes the dharmic framework of śrāddha and piṇḍa offerings—ritual supports repeatedly emphasized in Garuḍa Purāṇa discussions of post-death rites and the family’s responsibilities toward the departed.
It encourages clarity in ritual responsibility for ancestral rites and underscores that social/ritual transgressions (like bypassing elders) traditionally required expiation—modern readers can take it as a call to uphold family duties, humility, and ethical repair after wrongdoing.