Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

पितृभ्यः स्थानमसीति न्युब्जं पात्रं करोत्यधः / अग्नौ करिष्य आदाय पृच्छत्यन्नं घृप्लुतम्

Transliteration

pitṛbhyaḥ sthānamasīti nyubjaṃ pātraṃ karotyadhaḥ / agnau kariṣya ādāya pṛcchatyannaṃ ghṛplutam

Translation

“പിതൃഭ്യഃ സ്ഥാനമസി” എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞ് പാത്രം തലകീഴായി നിലത്ത് വെക്കണം. തുടർന്ന് നെയ്യിൽ മുക്കിയ അന്നം എടുത്ത്, അഗ്നിയിൽ അർപ്പിക്കുവാൻ ഉദ്ദേശിച്ച് (വിധി ചോദിച്ച്) ചോദ്യം ചെയ്യണം.

Word by Word

• पितृभ्यः: to the ancestors
• पितृभ्यः: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), बहुवचन (plural)

• स्थानम्: a place; seat
• स्थानम्: Karma (Predicate complement/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (singular)

• असि: you are
• असि: Kriya (Quoted mantra action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotation marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरणसूचक (quotative)

• न्युब्जम्: inverted; turned upside down
• न्युब्जम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: न्युब्ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (singular) — ‘उल्मुकवत् अधोमुख/उल्टं’ अर्थे (ritual term)

• पात्रम्: vessel
• पात्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• करोति: makes/places
• करोति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (singular)

• अधः: downwards
• अधः: Sambandha (Direction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) — ‘downwards/below’

• अग्नौ: in the fire
• अग्नौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन (singular)

• करिष्य: intending to do (for offering)
• करिष्य: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-लोप/देशी-प्रयोगवत्; भविष्यत्क्रियार्थक अव्ययभाव (intended sense: ‘to do/for doing’; पाठभेदसम्भव ‘करिष्यन्/करिष्यामि’)

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Kriya (Gerundial action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + दा (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप् (gerund)

• पृच्छति: asks
• पृच्छति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (singular)

• अन्नम्: food; cooked rice
• अन्नम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• घृतप्लुतम्: smeared/soaked with ghee
• घृतप्लुतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घृत + प्लुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (singular); तत्पुरुष (घृतेन प्लुतम् = ‘smeared/soaked with ghee’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Transition from Pitṛ-sthāna establishment to agni-offering segment

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Assigning ‘seat’ (sthāna) and correct placement (nyubja/adhomukha) are ritual semiotics; agni is the sanctioned medium for offering, requiring procedural certainty.

Vedantic Theme: Karma as disciplined intentionality; humility before śāstra/ācārya shown by ‘asking’ before acting.

Application: Designate the Pitṛ place with the proper formula; place the vessel inverted as instructed; prepare ghee-soaked food for agni and confirm the correct step before offering.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: śrāddha-vedi with agni (fire) nearby

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.99: Pitṛ-sthāna, vessel placement, and agni-related offering steps in śrāddha

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of offering a 'seat/place' (sthāna) to the Pitṛs in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that Shrāddha begins with formally establishing the Pitṛs’ presence by designating a sthāna; it frames the rite as hospitality and reverence toward ancestors, not merely a mechanical offering.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on post-death rites?

It highlights the correct ritual handling—arranging vessels and preparing ghee-rich offerings—used in ancestor rites that support the departed’s welfare and maintain dharmic continuity between the living and the Pitṛs.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform ancestor rites with care and clarity of intention—treating them as respectful offerings (with proper preparation and procedure), and seeking guidance from competent ritual tradition when unsure.