Shloka 1

Dṛṣṭānta on Siddhi: Pitṛ-Procedure, Non-Delusion, and Vyākaraṇa Classifications

Devanagari script

नाम पञ्चोत्तरद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच / सिद्धोदाहरणं वक्ष्ये संहितादिपुरः सरम् / विप्राः स्वसागता वीदं सुत्तमं स्यात्पितॄषभः

Transliteration

nāma pañcottaradviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ sūta uvāca / siddhodāharaṇaṃ vakṣye saṃhitādipuraḥ saram / viprāḥ svasāgatā vīdaṃ suttamaṃ syātpitṝṣabhaḥ

Translation

సూతుడు పలికెను—సిద్ధి ఫలాన్ని చూపించే ఒక దృష్టాంతాన్ని నేను వివరిస్తాను; అది సంహితాది ప్రాచీన పరంపరల సారము. ఓ విప్రులారా, ఇక్కడికి వచ్చి పితృదేవతలలో శ్రేష్ఠుని ఈ ఉత్తమాఖ్యానాన్ని వినండి.

Word by Word

नामnamely / called

पञ्चोत्तरद्विशततमःthe two-hundred-and-fifth (chapter)

अध्यायःchapter

सूतःSūta

उवाचsaid

सिद्धोदाहरणम्a proven example / established illustration

वक्ष्येI shall speak

संहितादिपुरःसरम्preceded by Saṃhitā and others

विप्राःO Brahmins

स्वसागताःwell-received / duly welcomed

इदम्this

सुत्तमम्excellent / best

स्यात्may be / should be

पितॄषभःbull among the Fathers (best of Pitṛs)

Speaker

Sūta

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Authoritative teaching is grounded in saṃhitā/āgama tradition and illustrated through siddha-udāharaṇa (proven exemplars), here connected to Pitṛ-devatā reverence.

Vedantic Theme: Śruti-smṛti-purāṇa as pramāṇa (means of knowledge) for dharma; humility before lineage (paramparā).

Application: Approach ritual/ancestral teachings through reliable sources and exemplars; cultivate attentive listening (śravaṇa) in sacred study.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: assembly/sabhā

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Pretakalpa and Śrāddha-kalpa introductions where Sūta frames instruction (general structural parallel)

Characters & Entities

Sūta

Vipras (Brahmanas)

Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of a “siddhodāharaṇa” (illustrative example) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the chapter as a teaching through an example meant to show “siddhi” or proven results—so the listener treats what follows as practical, tradition-backed instruction rather than mere story.

How does this verse connect to the Garuda Purana’s focus on the afterlife and ancestral rites?

By highlighting the “foremost among the Pitṛs,” the verse signals a Pitṛ-centered teaching, aligning with the Purana’s broader concern for post-death welfare, ancestral obligations, and dharma that supports the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach ancestral duties (śrāddha, remembrance, ethical living) with seriousness, and study traditional teachings as actionable guidance—listening carefully and applying what is taught.