Shloka 53
The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
ये बांधवाबांधवा वा येऽन्यजन्मनि बांधवाः । तेषां पिंडो मया दत्ते ह्यक्षय्यमुपतिष्ठताम् ॥ ५३ ॥
ye bāṃdhavābāṃdhavā vā ye'nyajanmani bāṃdhavāḥ | teṣāṃ piṃḍo mayā datte hyakṣayyamupatiṣṭhatām || 53 ||
Sama ada mereka itu kerabat atau bukan, atau mereka yang pernah menjadi kerabatku dalam kelahiran lain—semoga piṇḍa (persembahan untuk arwah) yang aku berikan sampai kepada mereka dan menjadi tidak binasa, sentiasa berkesan demi manfaat mereka.
Narada (teaching within the Uttara-Bhaga tīrtha/śrāddha context, traditionally framed in dialogue with Sanatkumāra lineage)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches an inclusive sankalpa in śrāddha: the merit of piṇḍa-dāna can be dedicated beyond one’s known ancestors, extending to any beings who were connected as kin in other births, so the offering becomes akṣaya (unfailing in spiritual efficacy).
By offering with a broad, compassionate intention and surrendering the reach of the gift to dharma, the practitioner aligns ritual action with a devotional mindset—service offered selflessly, trusting the divine order to deliver its fruit to the rightful recipients.
It highlights ritual application (Kalpa) through the wording of sankalpa—how to formally dedicate piṇḍa-dāna so it includes known, unknown, and past-life relations, aiming for akṣaya-phala (lasting result).