Shloka 21
The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
पितॄनावाह्य चाभ्यर्च्य मंत्रैः पिंडप्रदो भवेत् । प्रज्वाल्य पूर्वं तत्स्थानं पंचगव्यैः पृथक् पृथक् ॥ २१ ॥
pitṝnāvāhya cābhyarcya maṃtraiḥ piṃḍaprado bhavet | prajvālya pūrvaṃ tatsthānaṃ paṃcagavyaiḥ pṛthak pṛthak || 21 ||
பித்ருக்களை ஆவாஹனம் செய்து மந்திரங்களால் அர்ச்சித்து, பின்னர் பிண்டம் அளிக்க வேண்டும். முதலில் அந்த இடத்தை பஞ்சகவ்யத்தைத் தனித்தனியாகப் பயன்படுத்தி தீப்தி/சுத்தி செய்ய வேண்டும்।
Sage Narada (teaching the rite as received in the Narada Purana narrative tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It frames Śrāddha as a mantra-led act of hospitality to the Pitṛs: first invite and honour them, then offer piṇḍas, with prior purification of the ritual space to ensure the offering becomes spiritually fit (pavitra) and effective (phala-prada).
Though centered on Pitṛ-karma, it reflects bhakti as reverent service (sevā) expressed through orderly worship—invocation, mantra-archana, and offering—performed with śraddhā (faith) and purity.
It highlights Kalpa (ritual procedure): sequencing of invocation, mantra-worship, piṇḍa-offering, and purification of the ritual site using pañcagavya in a prescribed, step-by-step manner.