Shloka 65
Explanation of the Sapiṇḍana Rite; Causes of Pretahood; Viṣṇu Worship and Preta-ghaṭa Dāna
श्राद्धेन परदत्तेन गतः प्रेतो ऽपि सद्गतिम् / किं पुनः पुत्रदत्तेन पिता यातीति चात्भुतम्
śrāddhena paradattena gataḥ preto 'pi sadgatim / kiṃ punaḥ putradattena pitā yātīti cātbhutam
Walaupun melalui Śrāddha yang dilakukan dan dipersembahkan oleh orang lain, preta pun mencapai sadgati (destinasi yang baik). Betapa lebih mengagumkan lagi apabila dipersembahkan oleh anak sendiri, nescaya si bapa mencapai keadaan baik itu.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Śrāddha occasion (general; not date-specific in verse)
Concept: Śrāddha has real efficacy for the departed; offerings by others can help, but offerings by one’s own son are especially powerful—affirming putra-dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Interdependence of beings through karma and saṃskāra; compassionate transfer of merit within dharmic order.
Application: Do śrāddha for ancestors with sincerity; if no son/kin is available, community or well-wishers may perform, yet family performance is emphasized.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/Śrāddha sections emphasizing śrāddha-phala and putra’s role (contextual)
FAQs
This verse states that Śrāddha has the power to uplift even a preta to sadgati, showing the rite’s direct spiritual efficacy for the departed.
It implies that during the preta phase, supportive rites like Śrāddha can change the departed being’s trajectory toward a better post-death destination (sadgati).
Perform Śrāddha and related pitṛ-karmas with care—especially by the family/son when applicable—while also supporting legitimate proxy performance when necessary.