Shloka 30

Determining Rites for Difficult/Inauspicious Deaths; Annual and Daily Śrāddha Rules

Devanagari script

श्राद्धत्रयं प्रकुर्र्वीत वैश्वदेवन्तुतान्त्रिकम्

Transliteration

śrāddhatrayaṃ prakurrvīta vaiśvadevantutāntrikam

Translation

Hendaklah dilakukan śrāddha tiga serangkai, dan juga persembahan Vaiśvadeva, menurut tatacara ritual yang telah ditetapkan.

Word by Word

• श्राद्धत्रयम्: the three śrāddhas
• श्राद्धत्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध-त्रय (प्रातिपदिक; श्राद्ध + त्रय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (त्रयाणि श्राद्धानि)

• प्रकुर्वीत: should perform
• प्रकुर्वीत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: प्र-

• वैश्वदेवम्: vaiśvadeva-related
• वैश्वदेवम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैश्वदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying śrāddha)

• तु: and/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle: and/indeed)

• तान्त्रिकम्: tantric/according to tantra
• तान्त्रिकम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तान्त्रिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying śrāddha)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue, instructing Garuda/Vainateya)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: As per prescribed sequence within the śrāddha observance; integrated with daily Vaiśvadeva

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Perform the triad of śrāddhas and also the Vaiśvadeva offering according to the prescribed ritual procedure.

Vedantic Theme: Orderly karma as a purifier of mind (citta-śuddhi) when done with correctness and regularity.

Application: Build complete routines: don’t omit ‘supporting’ practices that make the main duty whole; follow a reliable protocol.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: gṛha / agni-kārya space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: śrāddha-traya enumeration in context; linkage of śrāddha with Vaiśvadeva; ‘tāntrika’ as ‘vidhi-prayukta’ (procedurally prescribed)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of performing the threefold śrāddha in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that śrāddha is not a single act but a structured set of rites; performing the threefold śrāddha as instructed is presented as a dharmic duty supporting proper ancestral propitiation and post-death observance.

How does this verse relate to the journey of the soul after death?

In the Preta Kanda context, correct śrāddha and allied offerings are taught as supportive rites for the departed’s onward course and for maintaining proper ritual order between the living, the ancestors (Pitṛs), and the divine powers.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If one observes śrāddha, do it systematically (not casually): follow a recognized procedure, include offerings aligned with Vaiśvadeva/daily duty where relevant, and treat ancestral rites as part of disciplined dharma.