Shloka 65
Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā
ऋत्विक्पुत्रो गुरुर्भ्राता भागिनेयो ऽथ विट्पतिः / एभिरेव हुतं यत्तु तद्धुतं स्वयमेव हि
ṛtvikputro gururbhrātā bhāgineyo 'tha viṭpatiḥ / ebhireva hutaṃ yattu taddhutaṃ svayameva hi
ఋత్వికుని కుమారుడు, గురువు, సోదరుడు, సోదరి కుమారుడు, మరియు తన సమాజాధిపతి—వీరి ద్వారా సమర్పించిన ఆహుతి కూడా నిజంగా స్వయంగా సమర్పించినదిగానే భావించబడును.
Lord Vishnu
Concept: Authorized representation: offerings made through certain close/legitimate persons are counted as one’s own.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma operates through saṅkalpa, sambandha (right relationship), and adhikāra; agency can be extended via legitimate relational channels without losing moral ownership.
Application: When unable to perform rites, appoint qualified and relationally appropriate representatives (guru/ṛtvij family/close kin/community head) with clear intention and accountability.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: ritual-social network (household/ācārya-kula/sabha)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.64 (self-homa fruit); Garuda Purana 1.213.66 (deities identified with fires)
FAQs
This verse authorizes specific trusted relations (guru, close kin, and community head) to perform an offering so it counts as the householder’s own act, protecting continuity of rite when the person cannot perform it directly.
In the Preta-focused teachings, correct performance of offerings is central; the verse clarifies valid representatives so essential rites (homa/offerings connected with funerary duties) are not interrupted and still yield the intended merit.
If you are unable to perform a required rite personally, ensure it is done by an authorized and trusted person (qualified priest/guru or appropriate family representative) with proper intention and procedure, so the ritual responsibility is still fulfilled.