Shloka 71

The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

अष्टकासु च वृद्धौ च गयायां च क्षयेऽहनि । मातुः श्राद्धं पृथक्कुर्यादन्यत्र स्वामिना सर ॥ ७१ ॥

Transliteration

aṣṭakāsu ca vṛddhau ca gayāyāṃ ca kṣaye'hani | mātuḥ śrāddhaṃ pṛthakkuryādanyatra svāminā sara || 71 ||

Translation

ในวันอัษฏกา ในคราวศราทธะประจำปี ที่คยา และในวันกษยะ-อะหะนิ (วันตถีเสื่อม)—พึงทำศราทธะแด่มารดาแยกต่างหาก; ในโอกาสอื่นให้ทำร่วมกับสามี (คือรวมกับศราทธะของบิดา)۔

Word by Word

• अष्टकासु: on the Aṣṭakā days
• अष्टकासु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अष्टका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th), बहुवचन; locative plural

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• वृद्धौ: at (a time of) increase/prosperity (vṛddhi occasion)
• वृद्धौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th), एकवचन; locative singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• गयायाम्: in Gayā
• गयायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th), एकवचन; locative singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• क्षये: at the waning (of the moon) / on the day of decline
• क्षये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th), एकवचन; locative singular

• अहनि: on the day
• अहनि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th), एकवचन; locative singular

• मातुः: of the mother
• मातुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/6th), एकवचन; genitive singular

• श्राद्धम्: śrāddha rite
• श्राद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd), एकवचन; accusative singular

• पृथक्: separately
• पृथक्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृथक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; parasmaipada

• अन्यत्र: elsewhere / except
• अन्यत्र: Apavada (अपवाद)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देश/अपवादबोधक (except/elsewhere)

• स्वामिना: by the husband/master
• स्वामिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd), एकवचन; instrumental singular

• सर: O sir
• सर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (vocative), एकवचन; vocative singular (address)

Speaker

Narada (teaching śrāddha conventions within Uttara-Bhaga tīrtha/rite discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Aṣṭakā (śrāddha occasion)

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"karuna","emotional_journey":"A composed legal-ritual clarification motivated by care for proper honoring of the mother’s lineage, distinguishing special occasions from ordinary ones."}

Characters & Entities

• Gayā

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It clarifies dharma for pitṛ-kārya: honoring the mother’s ancestral offerings with distinct attention on especially potent śrāddha occasions (Aṣṭakā days, Gayā, and kṣaya-related rites), ensuring proper satisfaction of the pitṛs and maternal lineage.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

While primarily ritual-dharma, it supports bhakti through disciplined duty (niyama): correct śrāddha is a Vishnu-aligned dharmic act in Purāṇic tradition, expressing reverence, gratitude, and surrender to sacred order rather than mere custom.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Jyotiṣa-linked timing are implied: specific tithis/occasions like Aṣṭakā and kṣaya days determine when maternal śrāddha is separated versus combined.