Shloka 21

Pitṛ-Stuti, Tarpaṇa, and the Ritual Power of Recitation in Śrāddha

Devanagari script

नमस्ये ऽहं पितॄञ्छ्राद्धै राजन्यास्तर्पयन्ति यान् / कव्यैरशेषैविधिवल्लोकद्वयफलप्रदान्

Transliteration

namasye 'haṃ pitṝñchrāddhai rājanyāstarpayanti yān / kavyairaśeṣaividhivallokadvayaphalapradān

Translation

ข้าพเจ้าขอนอบน้อมแด่เหล่าปิตฤ ผู้ซึ่งชนชั้นกษัตริย์ทำศราทธะบูชาตามพิธีครบถ้วนด้วยเครื่องคัวยะทั้งปวงเพื่อให้ท่านอิ่มเอิบ และท่านเป็นผู้ประทานผลแห่งสองโลก

Word by Word

• नमस्ये: I bow
• नमस्ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नमस् (धातु √नम्)
• Form: लट्, आत्मनेपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पितॄन्: forefathers
• पितॄन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• श्राद्धैः: by śrāddha rites
• श्राद्धैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• राजन्याः: kṣatriyas (royal class)
• राजन्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; (राजन्य = क्षत्रिय)

• तर्पयन्ति: satisfy / propitiate
• तर्पयन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तृप् (धातु √तृप्)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; णिच् (causative) तर्पयति

• यान्: whom
• यान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, द्वितीया, बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बन्धः पितॄन् (relative pronoun)

• कव्यैः: with ancestral offerings (kavya)
• कव्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• अशेषैः: complete / without remainder
• अशेषैः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (कव्यैः)

• विधिवत्: according to rule
• विधिवत्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधिवत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• लोकद्वयफलप्रदान्: givers of the fruits of both worlds
• लोकद्वयफलप्रदान्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक + द्वय + फल + प्रद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; समासः लोकद्वयस्य फलस्य प्रदाः (givers of fruits of both worlds); विशेषणम् (पितॄन्)

Speaker

Narratorial/Devotional voice within the Garuda Purana (contextual praise of Pitṛs; dialogue framework traditionally Vishnu–Garuda overall, but this verse reads as a salutation statement)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Śrāddha tithi/annual observances (implied)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vidhi-yukta śrāddha with complete prescribed offerings (kavya) brings ubhaya-loka-phala through Pitṛ satisfaction.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa efficacy when aligned with dharma and proper intention; unseen results (adṛṣṭa) manifest across lifetimes.

Application: Perform rites carefully (procedure, offerings, qualified officiants); treat ancestral duties as part of social responsibility and long-term welfare.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: palace/royal ritual hall

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha-vidhi lists of kavya/dravya and their fruits; Garuda Purana statements on ‘ubhaya-loka’ benefits from pitṛ-yajña and dāna

Characters & Entities

• Pitṛs
• Śrāddha
• Kavya (ancestral offering)
• Rājanya (Kṣatriyas)

FAQs

What is the importance of Pitṛ-tarpaṇa and śrāddha in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats śrāddha as a dharmic act that satisfies the Pitṛs through proper kavya offerings, and it credits the Pitṛs with granting benefits that extend to both worldly well-being and post-death outcomes.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

By emphasizing vidhivat śrāddha and Pitṛ satisfaction, the verse aligns with the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that correct post-death rites support favorable transitions and merit in the afterlife.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Perform ancestral rites (or memorial charity/food offerings in the śrāddha spirit) with sincerity and adherence to tradition, cultivating gratitude to ancestors and ethical living that supports family dharma.