Shloka 177
Genealogy of the Ancestors (Pitṛs) and the Procedure of Śrāddha
गोत्रं तथा वर्द्धतां तु तथेत्युक्तश्च तैः पुनः । स्वस्तिवाचनकं कुर्यात्पिंडानुद्धृत्य भक्तितः
gotraṃ tathā varddhatāṃ tu tathetyuktaśca taiḥ punaḥ | svastivācanakaṃ kuryātpiṃḍānuddhṛtya bhaktitaḥ
വീണ്ടും അവർ—“തഥാസ്തു, നിന്റെ ഗോത്രം വർദ്ധിക്കട്ടെ” എന്നു പറഞ്ഞാൽ, അവൻ ഭക്തിയോടെ പിണ്ഡങ്ങളെ ഉയർത്തി സ്വസ്തിവാചനം നടത്തണം.
Unspecified (narrative instruction within a ritual context)
Concept: After receiving the blessing for gotra वृद्धि, one should, with bhakti, lift the piṇḍas and perform svasti-recitation—devotion completes the technical act and seals auspicious continuity.
Application: Finish responsibilities fully and respectfully; close tasks with gratitude and a deliberate ‘svasti’—a mindful ending prevents lingering anxiety and honors relationships.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The householder gently lifts the freshly offered piṇḍas from a leaf-plate, hands steady with devotion, while brāhmaṇas chant svasti-vācana. The air feels clarified, as if the household’s lineage thread is visibly strengthened—subtle golden lines rising upward from the altar.","primary_figures":["householder (yajamāna)","brāhmaṇas (chanters)"],"setting":"courtyard altar with leaf plates of piṇḍas, kusa grass, small bowls of water and sesame, and a svasti arrangement of rice and flowers","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["leaf green","rice white","ghee gold","earth brown","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: svasti-vācana finale with the yajamāna lifting piṇḍas; gold leaf used to depict auspicious ‘svasti’ radiance and lineage motifs; rich reds and greens, ornate borders, detailed ritual vessels and textiles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate depiction of piṇḍa plates and chanting brāhmaṇas; soft dawn light, gentle courtyard architecture, refined faces, lyrical calm; subtle golden lines suggesting gotra वृद्धि blessing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; piṇḍas stylized as sacred forms; svasti symbols (lotus, conch-like curves) integrated; red-yellow-green palette with temple-wall texture and rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central altar with piṇḍas framed by lotus borders; deep blue cloth with gold floral filigree; svasti motifs repeated in the border; peacocks and lotuses as auspicious emblems, subtle Vaishnava symbols in corner medallions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["svasti chanting","temple bell","soft hand cymbals","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथेत्युक्तश्च → तथा + इति + उक्तः + च; कुर्यात्पिंडानुद्धृत्य → कुर्यात् + पिण्डान् + उद्धृत्य; स्वस्तिवाचनकं (समास) = स्वस्ति + वाचनक
FAQs
After receiving the blessing “may your gotra increase,” the performer should lift the piṇḍas (rice-balls for ancestors) and then recite svasti (auspicious benedictions).
It is a formal blessing for the prosperity and continuity of the family line, commonly exchanged in ritual settings as a marker of auspicious completion and goodwill.
It explicitly states that the act—lifting the piṇḍas and performing svastivācana—should be done “bhaktitaḥ,” i.e., with sincere devotional intent rather than as a mere formality.