Previous Verse
Next Verse

Shloka 29

Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening

in Yayāti’s Narrative

श्राद्धदानं प्रकर्तव्यं तस्माद्विप्रं निमंत्रयेत् । आतिथ्यं तु प्रकर्तव्यमपूर्वं नृपसत्तम

śrāddhadānaṃ prakartavyaṃ tasmādvipraṃ nimaṃtrayet | ātithyaṃ tu prakartavyamapūrvaṃ nṛpasattama

Oleh itu hendaklah dilaksanakan sedekah-persembahan śrāddha, dan kerana itu undanglah seorang brāhmaṇa. Wahai raja yang utama, layanan tetamu juga wajib diberikan dengan kemurahan yang tiada bandingan.

श्राद्धदानम्gift for the śrāddha
श्राद्धदानम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootश्राद्ध + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति (Nominative/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: श्राद्धस्य दानम्
प्रकर्तव्यम्should be done
प्रकर्तव्यम्:
Karma (कर्म) (with implied obligation)
TypeAdjective
Rootप्र + कृ (धातु) → कर्तव्य (कृदन्त, भाव्य/कर्तव्यताप्रत्यय)
Formकर्तव्य-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive/Future passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular); विधेयविशेषणम् (predicative adjective) श्राद्धदानस्य
तस्मात्therefore
तस्मात्:
Hetu (हेतु)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formअव्यय (indeclinable) = 'therefore/from that reason' (तस्मात् इति हेत्वर्थे)
विप्रम्a brāhmaṇa
विप्रम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootविप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)
निमन्त्रयेत्should invite
निमन्त्रयेत्:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootनि + मन्त्र् (धातु) (निमन्त्रयति)
Formविधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)
आतिथ्यम्hospitality
आतिथ्यम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootआतिथ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)
तुindeed/and (contrastive)
तु:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) (discourse particle)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय (indeclinable), निपात (particle) = contrast/emphasis
प्रकर्तव्यम्should be done
प्रकर्तव्यम्:
Karma (कर्म) (with implied obligation)
TypeAdjective
Rootप्र + कृ (धातु) → कर्तव्य (कृदन्त)
Formकर्तव्य-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; आतिथ्यस्य विधेयविशेषणम्
अपूर्वम्unprecedented/excellent
अपूर्वम्:
Visheshana (विशेषण) (qualifier of कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootअपूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular); आतिथ्यं विशेषयति
नृपसत्तमO best of kings
नृपसत्तम:
Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
TypeNoun
Rootनृप + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: नृपाणां सत्तमः

Unspecified in the provided excerpt (addressing a king: nṛpasattama).

Concept: Śrāddha and hospitality are obligatory; invite a brāhmaṇa and offer exceptional atithi-satkāra as a hallmark of righteous kingship.

Application: Maintain a culture of generous hospitality; support learned and virtuous spiritual practitioners; treat ritual obligations as opportunities for gratitude toward ancestors and society.

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king orders a grand yet dignified śrāddha arrangement: clean kusa seats, silver water pots, sesame and rice offerings, and a respectful invitation to a brāhmaṇa. Servants bring fresh garments, garlands, and a meal prepared with care, portraying ‘apūrva’ hospitality that feels both royal and reverent.","primary_figures":["king (nṛpasa ttama)","invited brāhmaṇa","purohita","servants carrying offerings"],"setting":"palace hall opening into a ritual courtyard with a decorated canopy and dining area for guests","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["royal blue","antique gold","lotus pink","cream white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the king offering a respectful invitation (nimantraṇa) to a brāhmaṇa beside a richly adorned śrāddha pavilion; gold leaf on jewelry, lamps, and architectural borders; saturated reds/greens, symmetrical composition, ornate textiles and gem-studded crowns.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a refined court scene with open arches to a garden; the king extends a garland and water pot to the brāhmaṇa; delicate brushwork, soft mountain-like horizon, lyrical naturalism, patterned carpets and subtle gestures of humility.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal figures with bold outlines; the king and brāhmaṇa near ritual vessels and lamps; warm pigments, stylized lotus motifs, temple-wall composition emphasizing dharma and generosity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: hospitality scene framed by lotus creepers and floral borders; symmetrical lamps and offering trays; deep blue background with gold highlights, peacocks at corners, devotional mood of service."}

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","footsteps on stone courtyard","soft veena drone","water poured for pādya/arghya"]}

Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्माद्विप्रम् = तस्मात् + विप्रम्; प्रकर्तव्यमपूर्वम् = प्रकर्तव्यम् + अपूर्वम् (म् + अ → म); नृपसत्तम = नृप + सत्तम (समास).

FAQs

It emphasizes performing śrāddha-related giving (śrāddha-dāna), inviting a brāhmaṇa for the rite, and extending generous hospitality to guests.

In the śrāddha context, a brāhmaṇa is traditionally invited to receive offerings and to conduct or sanctify the rite through learning, mantra, and proper procedure.

A ruler should uphold dharma by supporting sacred rites through charity and by practicing exemplary hospitality—making generosity a public standard.