Shloka 5

The Explanation of the Post-funeral Rites (Aurdhvadehika) and Related Matters

Devanagari script

त्रयः पिण्डभुजो ज्ञेयास्त्यजाकाश्च त्रयः स्मृताः / त्रयः पिण्डानुलेपाश्च दशमः पङ्क्तिसंन्निधः

Transliteration

trayaḥ piṇḍabhujo jñeyāstyajākāśca trayaḥ smṛtāḥ / trayaḥ piṇḍānulepāśca daśamaḥ paṅktisaṃnnidhaḥ

Translation

พึงรู้ว่า มีสามผู้รับส่วนปิณฑะ; สามผู้ควรเว้นว่าไม่สมควร; สามผู้ชโลมตนด้วยปิณฑะ; และผู้ที่สิบคือผู้ที่นั่งใกล้ในแถว (ปังกติ) ของผู้ร่วมพิธี.

Word by Word

• trayaḥ: three
• trayaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• piṇḍa-bhujaḥ: piṇḍa-eaters (those who partake of the offering)
• piṇḍa-bhujaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: piṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); उपपद-तत्पुरुष (object-determinative: ‘piṇḍa-eaters’)

• jñeyāḥ: are to be known
• jñeyāḥ: Vidheyaviśeṣaṇa (विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jñā (धातु) → jñeya (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (gerundive/भाव्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘to be known’

• tyajākāḥ: tyajākas (a named class/group)
• tyajākāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tyaja (प्रातिपदिक) + akā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); द्वन्द्व-समास (copulative; traditional category term)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• trayaḥ: three
• trayaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• smṛtāḥ: are said/considered
• smṛtāḥ: Vidheyaviśeṣaṇa (विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: smṛ (धातु) → smṛta (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘remembered/declared’

• trayaḥ: three
• trayaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• piṇḍa-anulepāḥ: those who anoint/smear the piṇḍa
• piṇḍa-anulepāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: piṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + anulepa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (‘piṇḍa-smearers/anointers’)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• daśamaḥ: the tenth
• daśamaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśama (प्रातिपदिक/क्रमसंख्या)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्रमवाचक (ordinal)

• paṅkti-saṃnidhiḥ: the one present in the line (as the tenth)
• paṅkti-saṃnidhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paṅkti (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃnidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (‘presence in the row/line’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During śrāddha bhojana/paṅkti arrangements (as part of the rite’s procedural segment).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Categorization of participants around piṇḍa: three legitimate partakers, three to be avoided, three who smear with piṇḍa, and a tenth seated nearby—indicating strict procedural roles in śrāddha.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma operates through niyama (rule) and śauca (purity); disciplined action shapes subtle outcomes beyond immediate perception.

Application: When organizing śrāddha, ensure only qualified participants partake; keep unfit persons away; maintain clear seating/role boundaries to preserve ritual integrity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: śrāddha dining/ritual line (paṅkti)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha sections detailing paṅkti-doṣa, bhojya/abhojya, and piṇḍa-vidhi (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Preta

FAQs

What is the importance of identifying piṇḍa-bhujaḥ and tyājya persons in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses correct ritual roles in piṇḍa-dāna: knowing who may receive/partake and who must be avoided preserves the intended efficacy of offerings meant for the departed and the Pitṛs.

How does this verse relate to the journey of the soul after death?

In the Preta Kanda context, proper piṇḍa offerings support the preta’s transitional state; the text therefore outlines ritual correctness so the intended benefit reaches the departed rather than being obstructed by improper participation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha or memorial rites, follow tradition-guided eligibility and conduct for participants and priests, emphasizing cleanliness, discipline, and respectful procedure so the rite remains focused and sincere.