Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6
Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala
श्राद्धे नियोजयेद्विप्रं श्रोत्रिय विष्णुतत्परम् । यथास्वाचारनिरतं प्रशांतं सत्कुलोद्भवम् ॥ ६ ॥
śrāddhe niyojayedvipraṃ śrotriya viṣṇutatparam | yathāsvācāranirataṃ praśāṃtaṃ satkulodbhavam || 6 ||
ஸ்ராத்தத்தில் வேதம் அறிந்த ஷ்ரோத்திரியாகவும், விஷ்ணுவில் பரம பக்தியுடையவராகவும், தன் மரபு ஆச்சாரத்தில் நிலைத்தவராகவும், அமைதியான குணமுடையவராகவும், நல்ல குலத்தில் பிறந்த பிராமணரை நியமிக்க வேண்டும்.
Narada (teaching śrāddha-dharma in a didactic passage)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that śrāddha bears fruit when performed with a qualified, disciplined, and serene Veda-trained brāhmaṇa who is devoted to Viṣṇu—linking ancestor rites with sāttvika conduct and Vaiṣṇava orientation.
By prioritizing a priest who is viṣṇu-tatpara (intent on Viṣṇu), the verse frames śrāddha not as mere ritualism but as an act aligned with Viṣṇu-bhakti, where devotion and purity of agency protect the rite’s sanctity.
The term śrotriya implies competency in Vedic recitation and correct ritual application—skills grounded in Śikṣā (phonetics) and Kalpa (ritual procedure), ensuring mantras and rites are executed accurately.