Shloka 47
Pitṛ-Stuti, Tarpaṇa, and the Ritual Power of Recitation in Śrāddha
सुखदो धनदश्चान्यो धर्मदो ऽन्यश्च भूतिदः / पितॄणां कथ्यते चैव तथा गणचतुष्टयम्
sukhado dhanadaścānyo dharmado 'nyaśca bhūtidaḥ / pitṝṇāṃ kathyate caiva tathā gaṇacatuṣṭayam
ഒരാൾ സുഖദൻ, മറ്റൊരാൾ ധനദൻ; ഒരാൾ ധർമദൻ, മറ്റൊരാൾ ഭൂതിദൻ (സമൃദ്ധിദാതാവ്)—ഇങ്ങനെ പിതൃകൾക്കായി നാലു ഗണങ്ങൾ പറയപ്പെടുന്നു.
Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)
Beneficiary: Pitr
Concept: True welfare is fourfold: sukha, artha (dhana), dharma, and bhūti (prosperity); offerings and remembrance should be aligned with dharma, not merely gain.
Vedantic Theme: Integration of puruṣārthas under divine governance; dharma as the harmonizing principle that makes prosperity non-binding and auspicious.
Application: When performing ancestral rites or prayers, explicitly include dharma in one’s intentions; dedicate a portion of wealth to charity to keep artha aligned with dharma.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.89.48 (Pitṛ-gaṇas satisfied by offering)
FAQs
This verse highlights that the Pitṛs are described as a fourfold class associated with specific blessings—happiness, wealth, dharma (merit), and prosperity—indicating why ancestor rites are valued for both spiritual and worldly well-being.
By emphasizing the Pitṛs’ role as grantors of sukha, dhana, dharma, and bhūti, the verse supports the broader Garuda Purana teaching that proper rites (like śrāddha and offerings) sustain ancestral satisfaction and reinforce dharmic continuity that benefits descendants.
Maintain reverence for ancestors through ethical living and periodic remembrance/charity in their name; the verse frames such actions as strengthening dharma and inviting well-being (sukha, dhana, bhūti) through aligned conduct.