Shloka 18
The Greatness of Offering Piṇḍas at Viṣṇvādipada (Viṣṇupada) — Gayā Śrāddha Procedure and Fruits
आद्यो गदाधरो देवो व्यक्ताव्यक्तार्थमास्थितः । विष्ण्वादिपदरूपेण पितॄणां मुक्तिहेतवे ॥ १८ ॥
ādyo gadādharo devo vyaktāvyaktārthamāsthitaḥ | viṣṇvādipadarūpeṇa pitṝṇāṃ muktihetave || 18 ||
ആദ്യനായ ഗദാധരദേവൻ വ്യക്തവും അവ്യക്തവും ആയ ഇരുവിന്റെയും അർത്ഥസ്വരൂപമായി നിലകൊള്ളുന്നു; ‘വിഷ്ണു’ മുതലായ പവിത്ര പദരൂപം ധരിച്ചു പിതൃന്മാർക്ക് മോക്ഷഹേതുവാകുന്നു।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"bhakti","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"Begins in awe of the primeval Lord’s transcendence (manifest/unmanifest) and settles into devotional assurance that His very names/forms liberate the Pitṛs."}
FAQs
It identifies Viṣṇu (Gadādhara) as the ultimate reality behind both the manifest and unmanifest, and states that remembrance/utterance of His sacred names becomes a direct cause of Pitṛs attaining liberation.
By emphasizing “viṣṇvādipadarūpeṇa,” it highlights nāma-bhakti—devotion through the Lord’s names and epithets—as a potent means that benefits not only the devotee but also one’s ancestors.
The verse points to the power of “pada” (sacred words/names), aligning with Vyākaraṇa and Nirukta in understanding and preserving correct divine appellations used in mantra, śrāddha, and Pitṛ-related rites.