Shloka 17
Gayā Śrāddha at Preta-śilā: Universal Piṇḍa-dāna for Ancestors and the Unrescued Dead
ये केचित्प्रेतरूपेण वर्तन्ते पितरो मम / ते सर्वे तृप्तिमायान्तु पिण्डदानेन सर्वदा
ye kecitpretarūpeṇa vartante pitaro mama / te sarve tṛptimāyāntu piṇḍadānena sarvadā
ในหมู่บรรพชนของข้าพเจ้า ผู้ใดก็ตามที่ดำรงอยู่ในสภาพเปรต—ขอให้ท่านทั้งปวงจงอิ่มเอิบเสมอด้วยการถวายปิณฑะ।
A ritual speaker (the kartā/performer) reciting a piṇḍa-dāna sankalpa-style prayer; taught within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue context
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Preta-related śrāddha period and ongoing annual/occasional śrāddha implied by ‘sarvadā’
Concept: Ancestors may exist in preta condition due to karmic/ritual contingencies; piṇḍa-dāna provides tṛpti and support.
Vedantic Theme: Subtle-body continuity after death; karma and saṃskāra shaping post-mortem states; compassionate action within dharma.
Application: Perform śrāddha with focused intention for those in preta-state; maintain regularity (‘sarvadā’) in remembrance and offerings.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa descriptions of preta-lakṣaṇa, hunger/thirst, and relief through piṇḍa and tarpaṇa
FAQs
This verse presents piṇḍa-dāna as a direct means for granting tṛpti (satisfaction/relief) to one’s ancestors, even if they are in a preta-condition.
It implies that some departed beings may remain in a preta-state and that properly offered rites—specifically piṇḍa-dāna—support and settle their post-death condition by giving them satisfaction.
During śrāddha or memorial rites, include an inclusive intention—“whoever among my ancestors may be in preta-state”—so the offering is not limited only to known forebears but extends to all who may need it.