Tila–Darbha–Maṇḍala in Aūrdhvadaihika: Protection, Eligibility, and the Merit of Salt-Dāna
सव्ययज्ञोपवीतेन ब्रह्माद्यास्तृप्तिमान्पुयुः / अपसव्येन तृप्यन्ति पितरो दिविदेवताः
savyayajñopavītena brahmādyāstṛptimānpuyuḥ / apasavyena tṛpyanti pitaro dividevatāḥ
Dengan yajñopavīta (benang suci) dipakai secara sāvya, melintasi bahu kiri, Brahmā dan para dewa menjadi puas. Dengan ia dipakai secara apasāvya, melintasi bahu kanan, para Pitṛ (leluhur) serta para dewa langit yang berkaitan dengan mereka menjadi puas.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: During śrāddha/tarpaṇa when switching between deva and pitṛ portions
Concept: Ritual orientation (savyopavīta/apasavya) determines the addressee—devas or pitṛs—and thus the rite’s efficacy.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as disciplined action; intention must be embodied in correct form (ākāra) to bear proper fruit.
Application: During deva-tarpaṇa/homa keep yajñopavīta in savya; during pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha wear it apasavya; train attention to transitions within rites.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: ritual space (śrāddha/tarpaṇa altar)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha prayoga passages distinguishing deva and pitṛ procedures; Garuda Purana notes on apasavya in pitṛ-kārya
This verse states that the manner of wearing the yajñopavīta determines whom the offering is directed to: savya pleases Brahmā and the Devas, while apasavya is used to satisfy the Pitṛs in ancestral rites.
It gives a procedural marker for Śrāddha/tarpaṇa contexts: apasavya (reverse wearing) signifies that the act is meant for Pitṛs, aligning the ritual intention with the correct recipients.
When performing Deva-kārya (worship for gods) use savya; when performing Pitṛ-kārya (Śrāddha/tarpaṇa for ancestors) use apasavya, following one’s family tradition and guidance of a qualified priest.