Shloka 5

Śrāddha Vidhi (Pārvaṇa-Śrāddha): Invitations, Arghya, Protective Rites, Piṇḍa Offering, Dakṣiṇā, and Visarjana

Devanagari script

एवं मातामहादिभ्यः / एतदाचमनीयं स्वाहा स्वधेति ब्राह्मणहस्ते एषवोर्ऽघ्य इति ब्राह्मणहस्ते पुष्पदानम्

Transliteration

evaṃ mātāmahādibhyaḥ / etadācamanīyaṃ svāhā svadheti brāhmaṇahaste eṣavor'ghya iti brāhmaṇahaste puṣpadānam

Translation

ในทำนองเดียวกัน สำหรับตาและบรรพชนฝ่ายมารดา ให้กล่าว “สวาหา” และ “สวธา” แล้วมอบน้ำอาจมนียะลงในมือพราหมณ์ จากนั้นกล่าว “เอษ โว อรรฆยะห์” แล้ววางอรรฆยะลงในมือพราหมณ์ และถวายดอกไม้เช่นเดียวกัน

Word by Word

• evam: Thus/Similarly
• evam: Adverb
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (एवम्)
• Form: Adverb

• mātāmahādibhyaḥ: To the maternal grandfathers etc.
• mātāmahādibhyaḥ: Sampradana (Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātāmahādi (मातामहादि)
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Plural

• etat: This
• etat: Karma (Object Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (एतद्)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• ācamanīyam: Water for sipping
• ācamanīyam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ācamanīya (आचमनीय)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• svāhā: Svaha (Hail!)
• svāhā: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svāhā (स्वाहा)
• Form: Ritual Exclamation

• svadhā: Svadha (Offering)
• svadhā: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svadhā (स्वधा)
• Form: Ritual Exclamation

• iti: Thus
• iti: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (इति)
• Form: Particle

• brāhmaṇahaste: In the hand of the Brahmana
• brāhmaṇahaste: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇahasta (ब्राह्मणहस्त)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• eṣaḥ: This
• eṣaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (एतद्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• vaḥ: Your
• vaḥ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (युष्मद्)
• Form: Genitive, Plural

• arghyaḥ: Arghya offering
• arghyaḥ: Karta (Predicate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arghya (अर्घ्य)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• puṣpadānam: Giving of flowers
• puṣpadānam: Karta (Action)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpadāna (पुष्पदान)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During arghya/ācamanīya and puṣpa-dāna segment for maternal ancestors

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Completeness of pitṛ-duty includes maternal lineage; mantra-precision (svāhā/svadhā) and proper handing-over (brāhmaṇa-hasta) sanctify the offering.

Vedantic Theme: dharma as harmonizing relational obligations; karma performed with saṅkalpa and mantra becomes a purifier (citta-śuddhi).

Application: Offer ācamanīya with svāhā and svadhā for mātāmaha-ādi; place arghya into brāhmaṇa hands with the formula ‘eṣa vo ’rghyaḥ’; follow with puṣpa-dāna.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (gṛha/śrāddha-maṇḍapa)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha steps distinguishing svāhā (deva) and svadhā (pitṛ) utterances; Garuda Purana lists of eligible ancestors including maternal line

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Maternal ancestors (Mātāmaha-ādi)
• Brahmana

FAQs

What is the importance of offering ācamanīya and arghya to maternal ancestors in the Garuda Purana?

This verse specifies that maternal ancestors (mātāmaha-ādi) are to be honored with the same formal offerings—ācamanīya and arghya—showing that śrāddha duties extend beyond the paternal line and must be performed with proper mantras and respect.

How does this verse describe the correct ritual method for Pitṛ-offerings?

It instructs that the offerings are placed into a Brāhmaṇa’s hands as a prescribed ritual medium, while reciting the formulas “svāhā/svadhā” and “eṣa vo ’rghyaḥ,” followed by a flower offering.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha or ancestral remembrance, include maternal ancestors with equal reverence, and keep the rite disciplined—clear intention, correct offering sequence, and respectful conduct toward the officiant and the lineage being honored.