Shloka 49

The Greatness of Gayā

Gayā-Māhātmya

Devanagari script

आत्मनोऽसौ महाबुद्धिर्विधानापि तिलैर्विना । पिंडनिर्वपणं चक्रे तथा न्यानपि गोत्रजन् ॥ ४९ ॥

Transliteration

ātmano'sau mahābuddhirvidhānāpi tilairvinā | piṃḍanirvapaṇaṃ cakre tathā nyānapi gotrajan || 49 ||

Translation

ആ മഹാബുദ്ധിമാൻ തന്റെ കുലഹിതത്തിനായി വിധിപ്രകാരം എള്ളില്ലാതെയും പിണ്ഡനിർവപണം ചെയ്തു; ഹേ ഗോത്രജാ, മറ്റ് കർമങ്ങളും നിർവഹിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• आत्मनः: of himself
• आत्मनः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन (Singular)

• असौ: that (man) / he
• असौ: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular), सर्वनाम (demonstrative)

• महाबुद्धिः: great-minded / of great intellect
• महाबुद्धिः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject-apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मधारय (महती बुद्धिः)

• विधाना: prescribed rites / procedures
• विधाना: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• अपि: even / also
• अपि: सम्बन्ध (discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपवादार्थक-निपात (particle: also/even)

• तिलैः: with sesame seeds
• तिलैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

• विना: without
• विना: अपादान/वियोग (separation/without)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: वियोगार्थक-अव्यय (preposition-like indeclinable), तृतीयासह (governs instrumental)

• पिण्डनिर्वपणम्: piṇḍa-offering
• पिण्डनिर्वपणम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + निर्वपण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (पिण्डस्य निर्वपणम्)

• चक्रे: performed
• चक्रे: क्रिया (action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), आत्मनेपद

• तथा: likewise / in the same way
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (manner adverb)

• अन्यान्: others
• अन्यान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• अपि: also
• अपि: सम्बन्ध (discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle: also)

• गोत्रजान्: kinsmen of the same lineage
• गोत्रजान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गोत्रस्य जाताः)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the account within the Uttara-Bhaga)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It emphasizes steadfast performance of pitṛ-kārya (ancestral duties): even when an ideal ingredient (sesame) is unavailable, one should still complete the essential śrāddha act of offering piṇḍas and the remaining prescribed rites.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

While primarily ritual-focused, it supports bhakti through duty: sincere, faithful completion of dharma—especially honoring ancestors—purifies the mind and sustains devotion by cultivating gratitude and responsibility.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied: the verse points to śrāddha-vidhi and its components (tilas, piṇḍa-nirvapaṇa, and ancillary acts), showing how rites are structured and carried out in practice.