Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 4
Śrāddha-vidhi for Pitṛs: Invitations, Purity, Offerings, and Conduct
ब्राह्मणैस्ते सहाश्नन्ति पितरो ह्यन्तरिक्षगाः / वायुभूतास्तु तिष्ठन्ति भुक्त्वा यान्ति परां गतिम्
brāhmaṇaiste sahāśnanti pitaro hyantarikṣagāḥ / vāyubhūtāstu tiṣṭhanti bhuktvā yānti parāṃ gatim
ਅੰਤਰਿਕਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਗਮਨ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਹ ਪਿਤਰ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਅਰਪਿਤ ਅੰਨ ਦਾ ਭੋਗ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਉਹ ਵਾਯੂ-ਰੂਪ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਉੱਥੇ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ; ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਭੋਗ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਪਰਮ ਗਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ।
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing on Śrāddha-dharma
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
Indirectly: it emphasizes dharma and subtle causality—offerings made in the visible ritual sphere reach subtle beings (Pitṛs) who then attain a “higher state,” pointing to graded spiritual destinies governed by dharma rather than mere material action.
This verse is primarily karma-kāṇḍa (Śrāddha and pitṛ-yajña). In the Kurma Purana’s integrated path, such disciplined ritual action supports inner purification (citta-śuddhi), which later becomes fit for yoga and higher knowledge.
Not explicitly; yet it reflects the Purana’s synthesis by presenting Viṣṇu (as Kūrma) teaching dharma that is equally honored in Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava traditions—ritual duty as a foundation for liberation-oriented practice.