Shloka 1
The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
वसुरुवाच । श्रृणु मोहिनि वक्ष्यामि पुण्यं प्रेतशिलाभवम् । माहात्म्यं यत्र दत्वा तु पिंडान्पितॄन्समुद्धरेत् ॥ १ ॥
vasuruvāca | śrṛṇu mohini vakṣyāmi puṇyaṃ pretaśilābhavam | māhātmyaṃ yatra datvā tu piṃḍānpitṝnsamuddharet || 1 ||
วสุกล่าวว่า “โอ้โมหินี จงฟังเถิด เราจักกล่าวถึงบุญอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์ที่บังเกิดจากเปรตศิลา คือมหาตมยะของสถานที่ซึ่งเมื่อถวายปิณฑะแล้ว ย่อมยังบรรพชนให้พ้นทุกข์ได้”
Vasu
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"bhakti","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"An invitational opening (‘listen’) that turns toward compassionate uplift of ancestors through piṇḍa-offering at Pretaśilā."}
FAQs
It introduces the Pretaśilā-māhātmya and frames the tirtha as a powerful place where piṇḍa offerings performed with faith are said to uplift one’s pitṛs (ancestors).
Though focused on ancestral rites, it reflects bhakti through śraddhā—reverent devotion expressed as sacred offering (dāna) and remembrance, aligning family duty with spiritual merit.
Ritual application is implied: correct performance of piṇḍa-dāna/śrāddha belongs to Kalpa (Vedāṅga of ritual procedure), emphasizing place-based efficacy (tīrtha-māhātmya) and proper rite execution.