Shloka 13

Śrāddha Vidhi: Kāla (Timing), Pātra (Recipient), and Karma (Procedure) for Pitṛ-tarpaṇa and Piṇḍa

Devanagari script

गन्धोदके तथा दीपमाल्यदामप्रदीपकम् / अपसव्यं ततः कृत्वा पितॄणामप्रदक्षिणम्

Transliteration

gandhodake tathā dīpamālyadāmapradīpakam / apasavyaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā pitṝṇāmapradakṣiṇam

Translation

തുടർന്ന് സുഗന്ധജലവും, ദീപങ്ങൾ, മാലകൾ, പുഷ്പദാമങ്ങൾ, തെളിഞ്ഞ ദീപവും സഹിതം; അപസവ്യമായി നിന്ന് പിതൃകർമ്മം ചെയ്യണം, പ്രദക്ഷിണം ചെയ്യരുത്.

Word by Word

• गन्धोदके: in scented water
• गन्धोदके: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन (singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गन्धस्य उदकम्)

• तथा: also; likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• दीपमाल्यदामप्रदीपकम्: lamp, garland, wreath, and light (as a set)
• दीपमाल्यदामप्रदीपकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप + माल्य + दाम + प्रदीपक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (singular); समाहार-द्वन्द्व (lamp, garland, wreath/garland-string, and lamp-stand/light)

• अपसव्यम्: counterclockwise; with leftward orientation
• अपसव्यम्: Sambandha (Manner/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपसव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (singular) — क्रियाविशेषणवत् (as adverbial accusative)

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (Temporal/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) — ‘thereafter/from that’

• कृत्वा: having done/made
• कृत्वा: Kriya (Gerundial action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund)

• पितॄणाम्: of the ancestors
• पितॄणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन (plural)

• अप्रदक्षिणम्: not clockwise; counterclockwise
• अप्रदक्षिणम्: Sambandha (Manner/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + प्रदक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (singular); नञ्-समास/उपपद-निषेध (not pradakṣiṇa)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Śrāddha performance window (traditionally afternoon)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Directional and bodily codes (apasavya, apradakṣiṇa) differentiate Pitṛ-kārya from deva-kārya; beauty-offerings are subordinated to correct niyama.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual order (niyati/vidhi) disciplines the mind and honors cosmic roles (deva vs pitṛ).

Application: In Pitṛ rites, adopt apasavya (sacred thread/rightward orientation reversed) and avoid auspicious pradakṣiṇa; offer gandhodaka, lamps, and garlands as prescribed.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: śrāddha-vedi / household ritual area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.99 (apasavya/apradakṣiṇa instructions within śrāddha-vidhi)

Characters & Entities

• Pitṛs

FAQs

What is the importance of apasavya in Garuda Purana ancestral rites?

This verse highlights that Pitṛ-kriyā is performed in the apasavya (ritually reversed) mode, marking the rite as specifically directed to ancestors rather than to the Devas.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana context?

By prescribing correct Pitṛ offerings (water, lamps, garlands) and the proper ritual orientation, the text emphasizes supportive rites that benefit the departed and maintain the ancestral link, which is repeatedly connected in the Garuda Purana to post-death welfare.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha or ancestor remembrance, follow tradition-specific guidance (including apasavya orientation) and offer simple, sincere items like water and a lamp, focusing on reverence and correct intent.