Shloka 23

The Greatness of Offering Piṇḍas at Viṣṇvādipada (Viṣṇupada) — Gayā Śrāddha Procedure and Fruits

Devanagari script

श्राद्धँ कृत्वा चंद्रपदे वाजिमेधफलं लभेत् । श्राद्धं कृत्वा सत्यपदे ज्योतिष्टोमफलं लभेत् ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

śrāddhaṃ kṛtvā caṃdrapade vājimedhaphalaṃ labhet | śrāddhaṃ kṛtvā satyapade jyotiṣṭomaphalaṃ labhet || 23 ||

Translation

चंद्रपद येथे श्राद्ध केल्यास वाजिमेध/अश्वमेधसदृश महायज्ञाचे फळ मिळते. आणि सत्यपद येथे श्राद्ध केल्यास ज्योतिष्टोम यज्ञाइतके पुण्य प्राप्त होते.

Word by Word

श्राद्धम्śrāddha rite

कृत्वाhaving performed

चन्द्रपदेin the ‘Chandra’ pada/position

वाजिमेधफलम्fruit of the Aśvamedha sacrifice

लभेत्would obtain

श्राद्धम्śrāddha rite

कृत्वाhaving performed

सत्यपदेin the ‘Satya’ pada/position

ज्योतिष्टोमफलम्fruit of the Jyotiṣṭoma sacrifice

लभेत्would obtain

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a tirtha-mahatmya/ritual-merit sequence; traditional dialogue framework with Sanatkumara lineage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhakti","emotional_journey":"Begins with calm ritual instruction and culminates in awe at the immense, sacrifice-equivalent merit promised for a simple śrāddha at specific padas."}

Characters & Entities

Candrapada

Satyapada

Shraddha

Jyotishtoma

Vajimedha

FAQs

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

It teaches that properly performed śrāddha at specific tīrthas can yield merit comparable to major Vedic sacrifices, highlighting tīrtha-mahātmyas and the power of pitr̥-kārya done with faith.

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

While framed as ritual merit, it implies bhakti through śraddhā (reverent faith) and sacred intention—honoring ancestors at holy places as a dharmic act aligned with devotion and gratitude.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual science (Kalpa) is central: the verse compares śrāddha-phala with Jyotiṣṭoma and other yajñas, reflecting how Vedic rites are evaluated by prescribed results (phala) and proper performance at designated sacred sites.