Shloka 128

Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules

Devanagari script

बहवो ऽपि यदा पुत्रा विधिमेकः समाचरेत् / नवश्राद्धं सपिण्डत्वं श्राद्धान्यन्यानि षोडश

Transliteration

bahavo 'pi yadā putrā vidhimekaḥ samācaret / navaśrāddhaṃ sapiṇḍatvaṃ śrāddhānyanyāni ṣoḍaśa

Translation

പുത്രന്മാർ പലരുണ്ടായാലും വിധിപ്രകാരം ഒരേയൊരു പുത്രൻ തന്നെ ഈ കർമ്മങ്ങൾ ആചരിക്കണം—നവ ശ്രാദ്ധങ്ങൾ, സപിണ്ഡീകരണം, കൂടാതെ മറ്റ് ഷോഡശ ശ്രാദ്ധാചാരങ്ങൾ।

Word by Word

• bahavaḥ: many
• bahavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative/1st), Bahuvacana (Plural); viśeṣaṇa of 'putrāḥ'

• api: even/also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta/particle (emphasis/concession)

• yadā: when
• yadā: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Kālavācaka avyaya (temporal adverb)

• putrāḥ: sons
• putrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative/1st), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• vidhim: the rite/procedure
• vidhim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• ekaḥ: one (person)
• ekaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative/1st), Ekavacana (Singular); used substantively

• samācaret: should perform
• samācaret: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-√car (चर् धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (Optative/विधिलिङ्), Prathama puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana (Singular), Parasmaipada

• nava-śrāddham: the nine śrāddhas
• nava-śrāddham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक) + śrāddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Dvitīyā (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); karmadhāraya: 'navaṃ śrāddham'

• sapiṇḍatvam: the state of being a sapinda (sapinda-relationship)
• sapiṇḍatvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa-piṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + -tva (तद्धित)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Dvitīyā (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); bhāva-nāma (abstract noun)

• śrāddhāni: śrāddha rites
• śrāddhāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrāddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Prathamā/Dvitīyā (Nom/Acc), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• anyāni: other
• anyāni: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Prathamā/Dvitīyā (Nom/Acc), Bahuvacana (Plural); viśeṣaṇa of 'śrāddhāni'

• ṣoḍaśa: sixteen
• ṣoḍaśa: Saṅkhyā (संख्या)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ṣoḍaśa (संख्या/अव्ययवत्)
• Form: Saṅkhyā-vācaka (numeral used indeclinably)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Sequence including navāśrāddha and subsequent prescribed śrāddhas culminating in sapiṇḍīkaraṇa per tradition.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even with many sons, one duly appointed son may perform the full sequence of śrāddha obligations (navāśrāddha, sapiṇḍīkaraṇa, and other śrāddhas).

Vedantic Theme: Karma as niyata-karman: obligatory rites purify the doer and uphold ṛṇa (pitṛ-ṛṇa) without contradicting higher pursuit.

Application: Designate a single karta for the initial śrāddha cycle to avoid omission, duplication, or dispute; ensure the full prescribed set is completed in order.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: sections enumerating ekoddiṣṭa, sapiṇḍīkaraṇa, and annual śrāddhas (contextual continuity within 2.34)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of Śrāddha and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that the prescribed post-death rites—especially the series of Śrāddhas and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa—are essential duties to connect the departed with the ancestral order (Pitṛs) and to complete the ritual obligations.

If there are many sons, who must perform the rites according to this verse?

The verse states that even when there are many sons, one son may (and should) properly carry out the full set of prescribed rites on behalf of the family.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Ensure continuity and clarity in family ritual responsibility: designate a responsible performer for the Śrāddha and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa rites, and complete them with due procedure rather than leaving the duty neglected due to confusion among heirs.