Shloka 6
Gayā Śrāddha at Preta-śilā: Universal Piṇḍa-dāna for Ancestors and the Unrescued Dead
बन्धुवर्गाश्च ये केचिन्नामगोत्रविवर्जिताः / स्वगोत्रे परगोत्रे वा गतिर्येषां न विद्यते / तेषामुद्धरणार्थाय इम पिण्डं ददाम्यहम्
bandhuvargāśca ye kecinnāmagotravivarjitāḥ / svagotre paragotre vā gatiryeṣāṃ na vidyate / teṣāmuddharaṇārthāya ima piṇḍaṃ dadāmyaham
Bagi saudara-mara yang kehilangan nama dan keturunan, sama ada dari klan saya atau yang lain, yang tiada tempat berlindung, saya persembahkan pinda ini untuk penyelamatan mereka.
Ritual speaker (the śrāddha performer/offerer), as a prescribed declaration within the rite; taught in the dialogue of Lord Vishnu to Garuda
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: During parvaṇa/annual śrāddha or special generalized śrāddha when names/gotras are unknown.
Concept: Ritual duty is not limited to clearly identified ancestors; compassion extends to nameless/gotra-less relatives and even those outside one’s lineage who lack rites and ‘gati’.
Vedantic Theme: Underlying unity of jīvas; dharma as widening of identification from ‘mine’ to ‘all who need support’.
Application: When lineage details are unknown (adoption, displacement, lost records), perform inclusive śrāddha intentions for ‘all relatives and the unremembered’.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.85 (inclusive piṇḍa offerings for various categories of departed)
FAQs
This verse frames piṇḍa-dāna as an inclusive act meant to aid even relatives or departed beings whose identity and lineage are unknown or whose post-death support (gati) is otherwise lacking.
By emphasizing “gati” (a viable onward course/refuge), the verse implies that proper rites like piṇḍa-dāna function as support for the departed when their transition is obstructed by absence of kin, recognition, or customary offerings.
During śrāddha or memorial offerings, one may dedicate a portion of the rite for unknown, forgotten, or unsupported departed relatives—cultivating responsibility, compassion, and continuity of dharma in family remembrance.