Shloka 2
Gayā Śrāddha at Preta-śilā: Universal Piṇḍa-dāna for Ancestors and the Unrescued Dead
अस्मत्कुले मृता ये च गतिर्येषां न विद्यते / आवाहयिष्येतान्सर्वान् दर्भपृष्ठे तिलोदकैः
asmatkule mṛtā ye ca gatiryeṣāṃ na vidyate / āvāhayiṣyetānsarvān darbhapṛṣṭhe tilodakaiḥ
మన కులంలో మరణించినవారు, గతి లేనివారు— వారందరినీ దర్భశయ్యపై తిలోదకంతో ఆహ్వానించవలెను।
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa, Vinatā-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Within śrāddha sequence, during āvāhana/tarpaṇa portion
Concept: One should ritually include lineage members who died without proper rites or whose ‘gati’ is obstructed, invoking them with darbha and sesame-water.
Vedantic Theme: Compassionate dharma toward ancestors; karma’s continuity across generations and the remedial power of prescribed rites.
Application: In śrāddha saṅkalpa, explicitly remember forgotten/unknown ancestors; offer tilodaka and seat them on darbha with focused intention.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: ritual space (śrāddha-vedi/kuśa seat)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.85.3-4 (father/mother/maternal-grandfather lineages).; Garuda Purana śrāddha sections on tilodaka and darbha as pitṛ-priya.
FAQs
This verse presents tilodaka offered on darbha as a ritual means to call and support departed relatives—especially those believed to lack proper post-death support—within the framework of pitṛ-karmas.
By stating that some deceased may be “without gati,” it implies that post-death progress is influenced by dharmic rites; invocation and offerings are portrayed as aids that can benefit such departed beings.
Perform śrāddha/tarpaṇa with sincerity (as per one’s tradition and guidance), remembering neglected or unknown ancestors and dedicating offerings for their welfare and peace.