Shloka 5
Ruci and the Pitṛs: On Marriage, Debts (Ṛṇa), and Desireless Karma
गृही समस्तदेवानां पितॄणां च तथार्हणम् / ऋषीणामर्थिनां चैव कुर्वल्लो कानवाप्नुयात्
gṛhī samastadevānāṃ pitṝṇāṃ ca tathārhaṇam / ṛṣīṇāmarthināṃ caiva kurvallo kānavāpnuyāt
Seorang grihastha yang menunaikan penghormatan dan pemujaan dengan wajar kepada semua Deva, kepada para Pitṛ, serta kepada para Ṛṣi dan mereka yang memohon pertolongan, akan mencapai alam-alam yang penuh pahala.
Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vainateya)
Beneficiary: Pitr
Concept: Gṛhastha as the integrator of obligations: deva-ārādhana, pitṛ-ārādhana, ṛṣi-ṛṇa repayment (study/support), and care for the needy—leading to loka-prāpti (meritorious realms).
Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: actions offered in a sacred spirit purify and elevate; social duty becomes spiritual discipline.
Application: Maintain regular worship/thanksgiving, support elders/ancestors through remembrance and rites, honor teachers/learning, and practice structured charity and hospitality.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: domestic-sacrificial space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: śrāddha chapters emphasizing pitṛ satisfaction through offerings; dharma sections praising atithi-sevā and anna-dāna (contextual).
FAQs
This verse teaches that a gṛhastha who maintains reverence through worship and proper honoring of Devas, ancestors, and sages fulfills key dharmic obligations and gains meritorious spiritual results (attainment of higher lokas).
It links posthumous destinations (lokas) with one’s dharma in life—especially the householder’s duties of worship, ancestral rites, and support of worthy recipients—implying that such actions shape the soul’s favorable onward journey.
Maintain regular gratitude-based worship, perform or support ancestral remembrance rites according to one’s tradition, respect teachers/sages, and give timely help to those in need—making daily life a consistent practice of dharma.