Shloka 3
Pātra-Nirṇaya and Ritual Procedure: Who to Feed, Who to Avoid, and Step-by-Step Śrāddha Performance
ऋत्विक्स्वस्रीयदौहित्रजामातृश्वशुरास् तथा मातुलो ऽथ तपोनिष्ठः पञ्चाग्न्यभिरतस् तथा शिष्याः संबन्धिनश् चैव मातापितृरतश् च यः
ṛtviksvasrīyadauhitrajāmātṛśvaśurās tathā mātulo 'tha taponiṣṭhaḥ pañcāgnyabhiratas tathā śiṣyāḥ saṃbandhinaś caiva mātāpitṛrataś ca yaḥ
Yang juga wajar dihormati ialah: ṛtvik (pendeta upacara), anak lelaki saudara perempuan, cucu lelaki melalui anak perempuan, menantu, bapa mertua, dan bapa saudara sebelah ibu; demikian juga yang teguh dalam tapa, yang tekun pada lima api suci, para murid serta kaum kerabat—terutama yang berbakti berkhidmat kepada ibu dan ayah.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
FAQs
The verse defines a dharmic hierarchy of whom to honor in rites like śrāddha/dāna—linking ritual merit to proper social and familial relationships, with special emphasis on those embodying Vedic duty and discipline.
By naming the taponiṣṭha and pañcāgnyabhirata among those worthy of honor, Parāśara indicates that inner discipline and sustained sacred practice elevate a person’s ritual and ethical standing in society.
Even when the verse focuses on social duty, the Vishnu Purana frames dharma as part of cosmic order upheld by Vishnu; honoring rightful persons and serving parents becomes a lived expression of that divinely sustained order.