Shloka 70

Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda

Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity

Devanagari script

पितर: केन तुष्यन्ति मर्त्यानामल्पचेतसाम्‌

Transliteration

pitaraḥ kena tuṣyanti martyānām alpacetāsām

Translation

पितरः केन तुष्यन्ति मर्त्यानामल्पचेतसाम्?

Word by Word

• पितरः: the ancestors (pitṛs)
• पितरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• केन: by what? / by which (means)?
• केन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: किम्
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• तुष्यन्ति: are satisfied / become pleased
• Type: Verb
• Root: तुष्
• Form: Present, Third, Plural, Parasmaipada

• मर्त्यानाम्: of mortals / of human beings
• Type: Noun
• Root: मर्त्य
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• अल्पचेतसाम्: of the small-minded / of those of little understanding
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्पचेतस्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

Speaker

शक्र उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Śakra (Indra)
• Pitṛs (ancestors)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames a dharmic inquiry: the proper means of pleasing the ancestors (Pitṛs). It points toward the ethical-ritual principle that even ordinary people should know the essential duties—especially offerings and conduct connected with Pitṛ-yajña/śrāddha—by which ancestral welfare is supported.

What is happening in the narrative?

Śakra (Indra) speaks as a questioner, asking what practices truly satisfy the Pitṛs, with special concern for humans who may lack subtle understanding. The dialogue is setting up an explanation of ancestral rites and the dharmic standards surrounding them.