Shloka 1
The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
वसुरुवाच । श्रृणु मोहिनि वक्ष्यामि पुण्यं प्रेतशिलाभवम् । माहात्म्यं यत्र दत्वा तु पिंडान्पितॄन्समुद्धरेत् ॥ १ ॥
vasuruvāca | śrṛṇu mohini vakṣyāmi puṇyaṃ pretaśilābhavam | māhātmyaṃ yatra datvā tu piṃḍānpitṝnsamuddharet || 1 ||
वसुरुवाच—शृणु मोहिनि, वक्ष्यामि प्रेतशिलाभवं पुण्यम्। यत्र पिण्डान् दत्त्वा पितॄन् समुद्धरेत्, तस्य माहात्म्यं कथयामि॥
Vasu
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It introduces the Pretaśilā-māhātmya and frames the tirtha as a powerful place where piṇḍa offerings performed with faith are said to uplift one’s pitṛs (ancestors).
Though focused on ancestral rites, it reflects bhakti through śraddhā—reverent devotion expressed as sacred offering (dāna) and remembrance, aligning family duty with spiritual merit.
Ritual application is implied: correct performance of piṇḍa-dāna/śrāddha belongs to Kalpa (Vedāṅga of ritual procedure), emphasizing place-based efficacy (tīrtha-māhātmya) and proper rite execution.