Shloka 39

The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

बंधुवर्गकुले ये च गतिर्येषां न विद्यते । तेषामुद्धरणार्थाय इमं पिंडं ददाम्यहम् ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

baṃdhuvargakule ye ca gatiryeṣāṃ na vidyate | teṣāmuddharaṇārthāya imaṃ piṃḍaṃ dadāmyaham || 39 ||

Translation

ବନ୍ଧୁବର୍ଗ ଓ କୁଳପରମ୍ପରାରେ ଯେମାନେ ମୃତ, ଯାହାଙ୍କର ଗତି କିମ୍ବା ଶରଣ ନାହିଁ, ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଧାରାର୍ଥେ ମୁଁ ଏହି ପିଣ୍ଡ ଅର୍ପଣ କରୁଛି।

Word by Word

• बन्धु-वर्ग-कुले: in the family-group of relatives
• बन्धु-वर्ग-कुले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्धु (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष समासः (बन्धूनां वर्गस्य कुलम्)

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक सर्वनाम

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (conjunction)

• गतिः: passage/afterlife destination
• गतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• येषाम्: of whom
• येषाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• विद्यते: exists
• विद्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √विद् (धातु) (विद्-ज्ञाने)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• उद्धरण-अर्थाय: for deliverance
• उद्धरण-अर्थाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद्धरण (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष

• इमम्: this
• इमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• पिण्डम्: piṇḍa offering
• पिण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• ददामि: I give
• ददामि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु) (दा-दान)
• Form: लट्-लकार, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (instructional narration in Uttara-bhāga ritual section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"karuna","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"Expands compassion beyond one’s direct lineage to the wider bandhu-varga, culminating in an inclusive act of offering for their rescue."}

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It frames piṇḍa-dāna as an act of compassion and dharma meant to support and uplift departed relatives—especially those believed to lack a sustaining ‘gati’ (refuge/ onward spiritual course).

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

While primarily ritual-focused, the verse expresses bhakti-like intent through selfless offering for others’ welfare; such dedicated, compassionate karma is aligned with Purāṇic devotion and service to the departed.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa/Smārta-prayoga (ritual procedure) in the Śrāddha domain—specifically the intention (saṅkalpa) behind piṇḍa offerings for those without support.