Shloka 87
Genealogy of the Ancestors (Pitṛs) and the Procedure of Śrāddha
पिंडान्वाहार्यकं कुर्याच्छ्राद्धमिंदुक्षये तथा । गोमयेनानुलिप्ते तु दक्षिणाप्लवनस्थले
piṃḍānvāhāryakaṃ kuryācchrāddhamiṃdukṣaye tathā | gomayenānulipte tu dakṣiṇāplavanasthale
Pada waktu bulan menyusut juga hendaklah dilakukan śrāddha piṇḍa–anvāhāryaka. Ia dilakukan di tempat dakṣiṇā-plavana (tempat persembahan/ablusi ke arah selatan) setelah kawasan itu disapu dengan tahi lembu.
Pulastya (to Bhīṣma) [contextual attribution typical to Padma Purāṇa narration]
Concept: Pitṛ-sevā through correctly timed and purified śrāddha sustains dharma and repays ancestral debt (pitṛ-ṛṇa).
Application: Honor lineage with periodic remembrance; keep a clean, dedicated space for rites; align important duties with natural cycles (like lunar waning) and maintain inner/outer cleanliness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene gṛhastha prepares a southern-facing śrāddha spot at the waning moon, carefully smearing the ground with fresh cow-dung to sanctify it. A small ritual platform is marked with kuśa lines, while the pale crescent moon hangs low, suggesting pitṛ-time and quiet remembrance.","primary_figures":["gṛhastha yajamāna","pitṛs (subtle ancestral silhouettes)","a guiding ṛṣi (optional, as Pulastya’s presence)"],"setting":"Rural courtyard near a designated southern offering area, with a low altar, kuśa bundles, and a water pot; distant trees and a calm night sky.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["ash white","earth brown","pale silver","kusha green","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a gṛhastha in traditional attire sanctifies a southern-facing śrāddha platform by smearing it with gomaya; a crescent waning moon above; ritual vessels and kuśa arranged symmetrically; gold leaf highlights on the moon halo, vessel rims, and sacred markings; rich maroon and deep green background with ornate borders, gem-studded accents on the water pot and ladles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet courtyard at night under a thin waning moon; delicate brushwork shows the yajamāna smoothing cow-dung on a small earthen platform; soft Himalayan-like horizon and trees; cool silvers and muted browns; refined facial features, lyrical stillness, minimal ornamentation, emphasis on ritual gesture and direction (south marked subtly).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments depict the yajamāna preparing the dakṣiṇā-plavana spot; stylized crescent moon with a radiant aura; kuśa and vessels rendered in flat yet vibrant tones; temple-wall aesthetic with red/yellow/green dominance and rhythmic patterning around the ritual space.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional courtyard scene framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; the waning moon rendered as a silver disc; ritual platform at the bottom with kuśa patterns; peacocks perched on a parapet; deep indigo sky with gold detailing; subtle Vaishnava symbols (śaṅkha-chakra motifs) woven into the border to suggest dharma’s sheltering presence."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["night insects","soft temple bell","gentle water pour","distant conch (faint)","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पिंडान्वाहार्यकं = पिण्ड + आन्वाहार्यकम्; कुर्याच्छ्राद्धम् = कुर्यात् + श्राद्धम्; श्राद्धमिंदुक्षये = श्राद्धम् + इन्दुक्षये; गोमयेनानुलिप्ते = गोमयेन + अनुलिप्ते; दक्षिणाप्लवनस्थले = दक्षिणा + प्लवन + स्थले
FAQs
It prescribes performing the piṇḍa–anvāhāryaka śrāddha (an ancestral offering with piṇḍas) specifically at the moon’s waning, with the ritual spot purified by smearing it with cow-dung.
In Dharmaśāstra and Purāṇic ritual contexts, gomaya is a traditional purifier used to prepare a clean, ritually fit surface for offerings and rites, especially those connected with ancestors.
It emphasizes conscientious observance of ancestral duties (pitṛ-kārya) along with attention to purity and proper ritual setting—framing reverence for forebears as a disciplined, timely obligation.