Shloka 38

Pretaśilā at Gayā: Muṇḍapṛṣṭha, Gadādhara’s Manifestation, and the Fruits of Śrāddha & Deity-Worship

Devanagari script

वंशार्थिनी च वंशान्वै प्राप्यार्च्यादिगदाधरम् / श्राद्धेन पिण्डदानेन अन्नदानेन वारिदः

Transliteration

vaṃśārthinī ca vaṃśānvai prāpyārcyādigadādharam / śrāddhena piṇḍadānena annadānena vāridaḥ

Translation

వంశవృద్ధిని కోరినవాడు కూడా ఆది గదాధరుని యథావిధిగా అర్చించి వంశాన్ని పొందుతాడు. శ్రాద్ధం, పిండదానం, అన్నదానం మరియు జలదానం ద్వారా ఈ పుణ్యం వృద్ధి చెందుతుంది।

Word by Word

• वंशार्थिनी: a woman desiring lineage/offspring-line
• वंशार्थिनी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वंशार्थिनी (प्रातिपदिक; वंश + अर्थिन् + ङीप्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (वंशं अर्थयते/इच्छति)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• वंशान्: lineages / descendants
• वंशान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Nipata (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक/खलु-अर्थ (indeed)

• प्राप्य: having attained
• प्राप्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive); ‘having obtained/attained’

• अर्च्य: having worshipped
• अर्च्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive) (poetic/variant usage); ‘having worshipped’

• आदि: etc.
• आदि: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/सूचक (etc.)

• गदाधरम्: Gadādhara (Viṣṇu)
• गदाधरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदाधर (प्रातिपदिक; गदा + धर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• श्राद्धेन: by śrāddha rite
• श्राद्धेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• पिण्डदानेन: by offering rice-balls (piṇḍa-dāna)
• पिण्डदानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्डदान (प्रातिपदिक; पिण्ड + दान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पिण्डस्य दानम्)

• अन्नदानेन: by giving food
• अन्नदानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्नदान (प्रातिपदिक; अन्न + दान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अन्नस्य दानम्)

• वारिदः: giver of water (one who donates water)
• वारिदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वारिद (प्रातिपदिक; वारि + द)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (वारि ददाति इति)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Amāvāsyā/śrāddha-tithi or prescribed annual śrāddha occasions; also as needed for pitṛ-śānti

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Lineage flourishing and desired outcomes are supported by dharmic acts—śrāddha and gifts—performed with devotion to Gadādhara.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: ritual action and charity offered in a devotional frame; unseen merit (adṛṣṭa) operates under Īśvara’s governance.

Application: Perform śrāddha with sincerity; offer piṇḍas as prescribed; practice anna-dāna and water distribution (to travelers/animals/temples), dedicating merit to Viṣṇu and ancestors.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.86.39 (Brahmaloka fruit; Gayā supremacy); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa sections on śrāddha and preta-śānti (general internal thematic link)

Characters & Entities

• Gadādhara (Viṣṇu)
• Pitṛs (ancestors)

FAQs

What is the importance of śrāddha and piṇḍa-dāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links śrāddha, piṇḍa offerings, and charity (food and water) with securing merit that supports the continuity and well-being of one’s lineage, framing these as dhārmic duties connected to Viṣṇu-worship.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or the ancestral connection?

By emphasizing śrāddha and piṇḍa-dāna, the verse points to the ongoing relationship between the living and the Pitṛs, where ritual offerings and dāna sustain ancestral satisfaction and generate auspicious results for the family.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform śrāddha with sincerity when appropriate, and practice anna-dāna and water charity regularly—acts the text treats as accessible, lineage-supporting expressions of dharma alongside devotion to Viṣṇu.