Shloka 44

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

Devanagari script

अरण्ये वर्त्मनि वने क्षुधया तृषया हताः । भूतप्रेतपिशाचैश्च तेभ्यः पिण्डं ददाम्यहम् ॥ ४४ ॥

Transliteration

araṇye vartmani vane kṣudhayā tṛṣayā hatāḥ | bhūtapretapiśācaiśca tebhyaḥ piṇḍaṃ dadāmyaham || 44 ||

Translation

ਜੋ ਜੰਗਲ, ਰਾਹ ਅਤੇ ਵਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਭੁੱਖ-ਤ੍ਰਿਹ ਨਾਲ ਮਰੇ, ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਭੂਤ-ਪ੍ਰੇਤ-ਪਿਸਾਚਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਪੀੜਤ ਹੋਏ—ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਇਹ ਪਿੰਡ ਅਰਪਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ।

Word by Word

• अरण्ये: in the wilderness
• अरण्ये: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• वर्त्मनि: on the road/path
• वर्त्मनि: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्त्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वने: in the forest
• वने: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• क्षुधया: by hunger
• क्षुधया: करण (Instrument/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षुध् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• तृषया: by thirst
• तृषया: करण (Instrument/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृष्/तृषा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• हताः: killed/overcome
• हताः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier of implied 'ये')
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हत (प्रातिपदिक; √हन् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त

• भूत-प्रेत-पिशाचैः: by bhūtas, pretas, and piśācas
• भूत-प्रेत-पिशाचैः: करण (Agent/Instrument causing harm)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत + प्रेत + पिशाच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तेभ्यः: to them
• तेभ्यः: सम्प्रदान (Recipient/Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• पिण्डम्: piṇḍa offering
• पिण्डम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ददामि: I give
• ददामि: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, उत्तम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तम-पुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in a ritual declaration of piṇḍa-dāna / śrāddha intention)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Bhuta
• Preta
• Pisacha

FAQs

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

It universalizes śrāddha compassion: the offering is dedicated not only to known ancestors but also to neglected, suffering departed beings—especially those who died without support—so they may receive relief and a better onward passage.

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

By making a selfless offering for unseen beings, the devotee practices dayā (compassion) and seva as a form of dharmic bhakti—an act aligned with Vishnu-centered purity and welfare of all jīvas, not merely one’s own lineage.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa (ritual procedure) through the śrāddha/ piṇḍa-dāna sankalpa style—explicitly naming recipient categories to ensure the rite’s intention (saṅkalpa) and fruit (phala) are properly directed.