Shloka 12
Śrāddha-Kalpa: Pitṛ-Pūjā and Tithi-Phala (श्राद्धकल्पः पितृपूजा च तिथिफलम्)
तत्रागम्य पितुः पुत्र श्राद्धकर्म समारभम् | माता मे जाह्नवी चात्र साहाय्यमकरोत् तदा,बेटा! वहाँ पहुँचकर मैंने पिताका श्राद्धकर्म आरम्भ किया। इस कार्यमें वहाँ उस समय मेरी माता गंगाने भी बड़ी सहायता की
tatrāgamya pituḥ putra śrāddhakarma samārabham | mātā me jāhnavī cātra sāhāyyam akarot tadā ||
तत्रागम्य पितुः श्राद्धकर्म समारभम्। माता मे जाह्नवी चात्र साहाय्यमकरोत् तदा॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights pitṛdharma—one’s ethical and ritual responsibility toward one’s father and ancestors. Performing śrāddha is presented as a concrete act of gratitude, continuity, and duty, supported by family and divine lineage (Gaṅgā as mother).
Bhīṣma addresses his listener as ‘son’ and recounts that he arrived at a certain place and commenced his father’s śrāddha rites. His mother, Gaṅgā—also called Jāhnavī—was present and assisted him in completing the ritual.