Shloka 116
Genealogy of the Ancestors (Pitṛs) and the Procedure of Śrāddha
पिंडांस्तु गोजविप्रेभ्यो दद्यादग्नौ जलेपि वा । वप्रांते वाथ विकिरेदापोभिरथ वापयेत्
piṃḍāṃstu gojaviprebhyo dadyādagnau jalepi vā | vaprāṃte vātha vikiredāpobhiratha vāpayet
पिण्डान् तु गोभ्यः पशुभ्यश्च विप्रेभ्यश्च दद्यात्; अथवा अग्नौ जले वा क्षिपेत्। वप्रान्ते वा विकिरेत्, अथवा अद्भिः विलापयेत्।
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Adhyaya 9; speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: Śrāddha is defined by intention and proper transfer, not a single rigid method; offerings may be redirected to worthy recipients or elemental carriers when needed.
Application: When performing remembrance/charity, prioritize non-waste and appropriateness: feed animals, support learned persons, or return offerings respectfully to nature (fire/water/earth) rather than discarding carelessly.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On a riverbank near a small sacred fire, a practitioner holds piṇḍas on a leaf plate. One piṇḍa is gently offered to a cow, another to a waiting brāhmaṇa; the remaining are respectfully consigned—one into the fire, one into flowing water—while a final portion is crumbled at the edge of a raised earthen bank and sprinkled to dissolve, symbolizing release and continuity.","primary_figures":["householder (yajamāna)","cow","brāhmaṇa recipient","small agni (sacred fire)"],"setting":"riverbank with a low earthen mound (vaprānta), a small fire-pit, leaf plates, water pot, and reeds along the shore","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["river jade","fire amber","earth umber","lotus pink","sky pale blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: riverbank śrāddha scene with cow and brāhmaṇa receiving piṇḍas, a glowing agni, and offerings entering water; gold leaf on flames and ripples, rich maroon-green borders, gem-like detailing on vessels, auspicious lotus motifs and symmetrical sacred composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate riverside landscape with reeds and gentle current; the yajamāna offering piṇḍas to cow and brāhmaṇa, then consigning to fire and water; cool natural palette with warm fire highlights, refined faces, lyrical serenity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic river and agni rendered with bold outlines; cow and brāhmaṇa in stylized poses; warm red/yellow/green pigments, temple-wall clarity, rhythmic depiction of multiple disposal methods in one narrative panel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral border with lotus and creepers framing a central riverbank offering; peacocks and cows as auspicious motifs; deep blue water with gold wave patterns, small agni glowing in gold, intricate textile-like detailing on garments."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft fire crackle","cow bell","distant conch","wind through reeds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गोजविप्रेभ्यो = गो + ज + विप्रेभ्यः (समास); दद्यादग्नौ = दद्यात् + अग्नौ; जलेपि = जले + अपि; वप्रांते = वप्रान्ते; विकिरेदापोभिः = विकिरेत् + आपोभिः; वापयेत् = वा + अपयेत्.
FAQs
It lists multiple acceptable methods: giving them to cows/animals/Brāhmaṇas, placing them into fire, casting them into water, scattering them at the edge of a bank or raised ground, or dissolving them with water.
No. The wording provides alternatives, indicating flexibility in how the piṇḍa offerings may be properly offered when circumstances differ.
The verse highlights conscientious completion of ritual duty—ensuring offerings are respectfully given or returned to sacred elements (fire/water) or to appropriate recipients (Brāhmaṇas and living beings) rather than being wasted.