Shloka 27

Śrāddha as Trans-realm Nourishment; Pitṛ-Conveyance; Piṇḍa-born Body and the ātivāhika; Bhakti-based Release

Devanagari script

श्राद्धकर्त्रा तु यद्येकः श्राद्धे विप्रो निमन्त्रितः / उदरस्थः पिता तस्य वामपार्श्वे पितामहः

Transliteration

śrāddhakartrā tu yadyekaḥ śrāddhe vipro nimantritaḥ / udarasthaḥ pitā tasya vāmapārśve pitāmahaḥ

Translation

หากผู้ประกอบพิธีศราทธ์นิมนต์พราหมณ์เพียงผู้เดียวในพิธี บิดาย่อมถือว่าสถิตอยู่ในกายของพราหมณ์นั้น และปิตามหะ (ปู่) สถิตอยู่ ณ เบื้องซ้ายของท่าน

Word by Word

• श्राद्धकर्त्रा: by the performer of the śrāddha
• श्राद्धकर्त्रा: Karana (Agent-instrument: 'by the performer')
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध + कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Instrumental singular; समासः तत्पुरुष (श्राद्धस्य कर्ता)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• यदि: if
• यदि: Sambandha (Condition)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; शर्तार्थक (conditional particle)

• एकः: one
• एकः: Karta (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• श्राद्धे: in the śrāddha (rite)
• श्राद्धे: Adhikarana (Occasion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular

• विप्रः: a Brahmin
• विप्रः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• निमन्त्रितः: invited
• निमन्त्रितः: Karta (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नि + मन्त्र् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'invited'

• उदरस्थः: situated in the belly
• उदरस्थः: Karta (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदर + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular; समासः तत्पुरुष (उदरे स्थितः)

• पिता: the father (ancestor)
• पिता: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• तस्य: of him/of that (Brahmin)
• तस्य: Sambandha (Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Genitive singular

• वामपार्श्वे: on the left side
• वामपार्श्वे: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम + पार्श्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular; समासः कर्मधारय (वामं पार्श्वम्)

• पितामहः: the grandfather
• पितामहः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Śrāddha time (when only one brāhmaṇa is invited)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even with minimal external means (one brāhmaṇa), lineage representatives are ritually ‘present’ in ordered positions.

Vedantic Theme: Symbolic embodiment: subtle beings relate to gross supports through saṃskāra and mantra-ritual order; dharma as a technology of presence.

Application: If constrained, perform śrāddha correctly even with limited invitees, maintaining the prescribed intention and honor.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.10.28 (great-grandfather placement; piṇḍa-bhakṣaka; Yama’s bringing); Garuda Purana 2.10.25-26 (Pitṛs partake through brāhmaṇas)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Brahmana

FAQs

What is the importance of inviting a brāhmaṇa in śrāddha according to Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that the invited brāhmaṇa is ritually identified as a locus for the Pitṛs’ presence, enabling the offering to reach the father and grandfather even when only one priest is invited.

How does this verse explain the connection between the Pitṛs and the śrāddha rite?

It frames śrāddha as a precise ritual channel: the father is considered present ‘within’ the invited brāhmaṇa and the grandfather at his left side, indicating ordered ancestral reception of offerings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When resources are limited, perform śrāddha with sincerity and proper invitation/respect to a qualified brāhmaṇa; the text emphasizes that correct intent and ritual protocol can still honor the lineage effectively.