Shloka 156
Brahmā’s Puṣkara Sacrifice and the Manifestation of Sarasvatī
with Tīrtha-Merit Teachings
एकविंशकुलोपेताः स्वर्गं यास्यंति ते नराः । पितॄणां च शुभं तीर्थं पिंडेनैकेन तर्पिताः
ekaviṃśakulopetāḥ svargaṃ yāsyaṃti te narāḥ | pitṝṇāṃ ca śubhaṃ tīrthaṃ piṃḍenaikena tarpitāḥ
บุรุษเหล่านั้นพร้อมด้วยคุณบุญที่เกื้อกูลถึงยี่สิบเอ็ดชั่วตระกูล ย่อมไปสู่สวรรค์ และด้วยการถวายปิณฑะเพียงก้อนเดียว ก็ทำให้เหล่าปิตฤพึงพอ เพราะเป็นพิธีตีรถะอันเป็นมงคลเพื่อบรรพชน
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context; exact dialogue speaker not provided in the input excerpt).
Concept: Pitṛ-sevā through śrāddha is powerful: a single piṇḍa at the right sacred locus can liberate and elevate an entire lineage.
Application: Perform ancestral rites with care; cultivate gratitude to forebears; support family continuity through ethical living and remembrance, not only ritual.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the river’s edge, a son kneels on kusa grass, offering a single, carefully shaped piṇḍa with water-libations, his face composed yet tender. Behind him, translucent ancestral figures—twenty-one generations suggested as a fading procession—receive the offering with calm relief, while the sky opens into a gentle svarga-vision.","primary_figures":["son performing śrāddha","ancestral pitṛs (ethereal forms)","brāhmaṇa guide (optional)"],"setting":"quiet tīrtha ghāṭa with ritual mat, darbha grass, water pot (kalaśa), small offering plate; distant trees and still water","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["silver gray","smoky blue","pale gold","earth brown","white jasmine"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central figure of the son offering one piṇḍa at a river-ghat; ethereal pitṛs in layered halos receiving blessings; gold leaf on halos, water highlights, and ritual vessels; rich maroon and emerald textiles; ornate border with lotus and conch motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate riverside śrāddha scene with delicate brushwork; soft moonlight on water; ancestors as faint, graceful silhouettes in the sky; cool palette and lyrical trees; refined facial expressions conveying compassion and duty.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized son in profile with bold outlines; iconic piṇḍa and kalaśa; pitṛs as patterned, semi-transparent figures; strong red-yellow-green scheme tempered by moonlit blues; temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: rhythmic procession of small ancestral figures above the river; central offering of a single piṇḍa framed by lotus borders; peacocks perched on stylized trees; deep indigo background with gold and white floral filigree."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft flowing water","night insects","distant bell","ritual water pouring"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पिंडेनैकेन = पिण्डेन एकेन; (एकविंशकुलोपेताः is a compound; internal sandhi: कुल + उपेताः → कुलोपेताः)
FAQs
It states that the spiritual merit extends to twenty-one generations of one’s family line, implying that proper ancestral rites are believed to uplift both the performer and their lineage.
The verse emphasizes sufficiency: even one properly offered piṇḍa can satisfy the Pitṛs, framing the act as a śubha tīrtha—an auspicious sanctifying observance with significant spiritual efficacy.
It encourages gratitude and responsibility toward ancestors through śrāddha-related duties, teaching that sincere, correctly performed rites—rather than quantity—are central to honoring the Pitṛs.