Shloka 17

Sapindīkaraṇa: Timing, Eligibility, Gotra Rules, and Yearlong Śrāddha

with Vṛṣotsarga and Ghaṭa-dāna

Devanagari script

तत्रतत्र त्रयं कार्यमन्यथा पितृघातकः / त्रिभिः कुर्यादशक्तश्च पार्वणं मुनिनोदितम्

Transliteration

tatratatra trayaṃ kāryamanyathā pitṛghātakaḥ / tribhiḥ kuryādaśaktaśca pārvaṇaṃ muninoditam

Translation

तत्रतत्र त्रयं कार्यमन्यथा पितृघातकः; त्रिभिः कुर्यादशक्तश्च पार्वणं मुनिनोदितम्।

Word by Word

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (Locative sense/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: स्थानवाचक-अव्यय (there)

• तत्र: in each case
• तत्र: Adhikarana (Locative sense/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: पुनरुक्त-अव्यय (distributive: ‘in each such place/occasion’)

• त्रयम्: three (things/acts)
• त्रयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; संख्याशब्दः

• कार्यम्: should be done
• कार्यम्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कार्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: भाव्य/कर्तव्यतार्थक कृदन्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be done/should be done’

• अन्यथा: otherwise
• अन्यथा: Hetu/Condition (Condition/हेतु-निमित्त)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (otherwise)

• पितृघातकः: a slayer of ancestors (i.e., guilty of harming the pitṛs)
• पितृघातकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ + घातक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पितॄणां घातकः)

• त्रिभिः: with three (items/acts)
• त्रिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/त्रिलिङ्ग-प्रयोग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; संख्याशब्दः

• कुर्यात्: should do/perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अशक्तः: one who is unable
• अशक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ- + शक्त (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुषः (असमर्थः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (and)

• पार्वणम्: the pārvaṇa śrāddha (rite)
• पार्वणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्वण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• मुनिना: by the sage
• मुनिना: Karana (Agent/Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• उदितम्: enjoined/said
• उदितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद् + इ (धातु) → उदित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘said/uttered’ (qualifies पार्वणम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: At each prescribed śrāddha occasion; minimum three offerings when unable

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: At each occasion, perform the prescribed threefold offering; neglect incurs the grave sin of harming ancestors; if incapable, at least perform the pārvaṇa-śrāddha with three offerings as sages teach.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma balances niyama (strict rule) with anukampā (allowance for incapacity) while preserving intent; karma accrues from omission as well as commission.

Application: Maintain the minimum required structure (three offerings) even under constraints; do not abandon śrāddha due to inability to perform elaborate rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: household/śrāddha-venue

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.26.18 (pārvaṇa rationale amid date uncertainty); Garuda Purana 2.26.14-16 (sapīṇḍīkaraṇa and post-incorporation offerings)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Munis

FAQs

What is the importance of performing the 'threefold' act mentioned in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse frames the threefold offering as a mandatory component of Pitṛ-rites; neglecting it is treated as grave harm to the ancestors, while performing at least the three is presented as a valid minimum.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and care for the departed?

In the Preta Kanda context, ancestral rites sustain and honor the departed lineage; this verse emphasizes that even limited capacity does not excuse total neglect—one should complete the essential minimum (three offerings) in the pārvaṇa-śrāddha mode.

Practical application of this teaching today for someone who cannot do elaborate rites?

Do not abandon Pitṛ-observances entirely; perform a simplified, sincere śrāddha/pārvaṇa with the essential three offerings as a minimum, following learned guidance and one’s capacity.