Shloka 39

Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya

Devanagari script

सक्तुभिः पिंडदानं च संयावैः पायसेन वा । बदरामलकैर्वापि पिण्याकैर्वा सुलोचने ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

saktubhiḥ piṃḍadānaṃ ca saṃyāvaiḥ pāyasena vā | badarāmalakairvāpi piṇyākairvā sulocane || 39 ||

Translation

ഹേ സുലോചനേ! സക്തു (വറുത്ത യവപ്പൊടി) കൊണ്ടോ, സംയാവ മധുരപദാർത്ഥങ്ങളാലോ, പായസം (ക്ഷീരാന്നം) കൊണ്ടോ പിണ്ഡദാനം ചെയ്യാം; അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ബദരവും ആമലകവും എന്നീ ഫലങ്ങളാലോ, പിണ്യാകം (എണ്ണക്കളി) കൊണ്ടോ ചെയ്യാം.

Word by Word

सक्तुभिःwith parched flour

पिण्डदानम्offering of rice-balls (piṇḍa-offering)

चand

संयावैःwith saṃyāva (a sweet preparation)

पायसेनwith rice-milk (pāyasa)

वाor

बदरामलकैःwith jujubes and āmalakas

वाor

अपिalso

पिण्याकैःwith oil-cake/sesame-cake

वाor

सुलोचनेO fair-eyed one

Speaker

Narada (addressing a fair-eyed interlocutor; likely in an instructional dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhakti","emotional_journey":"Practical, calm instruction on acceptable materials for piṇḍa-offering, widening from ideal to permissible substitutes, ending in reassuring inclusivity."}

FAQs

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

It teaches that the merit of piṇḍa-dāna in śrāddha and tīrtha contexts depends on sincere offering and dharmic intent, and that acceptable substitutes exist when ideal materials are unavailable.

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

While primarily ritual-focused, it supports bhakti by emphasizing faithful performance of prescribed duties (pitṛ-tarpaṇa and śrāddha) as part of a devoted, dharma-aligned life that honors ancestors and sustains sacred order.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implicit: it lists sanctioned materials for piṇḍa offerings, reflecting applied dharma-śāstra guidance for correct performance of śrāddha rites.