Shloka 43
The Tale of the Five Pretas and the Glory of Puṣkara & the Eastern Sarasvatī
शुक्लांगारकसंयुक्ता चतुर्थी जायते यदा । श्रद्धया श्राद्धकृत्तस्यां न प्रेतो जायते नरः
śuklāṃgārakasaṃyuktā caturthī jāyate yadā | śraddhayā śrāddhakṛttasyāṃ na preto jāyate naraḥ
เมื่อจตุรถีในปักษ์สุกละ (ข้างขึ้น) ตรงกับอังคารกะ (ดาวอังคาร/วันอังคาร) หากผู้ใดประกอบพิธีศราทธะด้วยศรัทธาในวันนั้น ผู้นั้นย่อมไม่เกิดเป็นเปรต (วิญญาณเร่ร่อน)
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses to identify the dialogue pair).
Concept: Performing śrāddha with faith on a specially conjoined Caturthī prevents preta-bhāva.
Application: Observe lunar calendar conjunctions; when unable to do full śrāddha, offer simple tarpaṇa and charity with sincere faith; keep remembrance of lineage and gratitude to ancestors.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night-to-dawn transition shows the sky marked with a bright waxing moon (Śukla pakṣa) while a red-hued Mars symbol glows subtly, indicating Aṅgāraka. On a clean riverbank or courtyard platform, the performer offers piṇḍa and water with folded hands; unseen pitṛs receive the offering as a gentle protective aura forms, dispelling the restless preta-shadow.","primary_figures":["Śrāddha performer (householder)","Pitṛs (subtle receiving forms)","Kāla-devatā motifs (moon and Mars symbols)"],"setting":"Quiet riverbank ghat or courtyard with a low platform, darbha grass, piṇḍa offerings on leaf plates, copper vessel for tarpaṇa, and a simple lamp.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["waxing-moon silver","mars red","river black-blue","copper bronze","pale sandalwood"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: moonlit śrāddha scene with the waxing moon in an ornate arch and a small red Mars emblem; the performer offers piṇḍa and water on a decorated platform; pitṛs appear as haloed, semi-transparent figures receiving offerings; gold leaf highlights on the moon halo, vessels, and borders; rich maroon and deep green accents.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical ghat at night with delicate ripples; the moon reflected in water, a subtle red star-like Mars sign; the householder kneels with darbha and copper lota, leaf plates with piṇḍa; misty, compassionate atmosphere, refined faces, cool blues and silvers with a single red accent.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized celestial symbols of moon and Mars above; central śrāddha performer with expressive eyes, pitṛs in a top register receiving; red/yellow/green palette with strong black contours, decorative borders of lotus and flame motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: nocturnal devotional composition with lotus borders; central offering platform with ornate patterns, moon and a red Aṅgāraka motif above; deep indigo cloth ground with gold highlights, intricate floral designs, subtle cow and peacock motifs at edges to signify auspiciousness and continuity of lineage."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","low drum pulse (soft)","conch shell (single)","night insects","mantra cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śuklāṃgārakasaṃyuktā = śukla + aṅgāraka + saṃyuktā; śrāddhakṛttasyāṃ = śrāddha-kṛt + tasyām.
FAQs
It teaches that performing śrāddha with faith on a specific auspicious tithi–planetary conjunction is believed to prevent the soul’s fall into a preta-state, emphasizing the power of timely rites and śraddhā (faith).
It indicates the fourth lunar day (Caturthī) occurring together with Aṅgāraka—commonly understood as Mars and, in calendrical practice, often associated with Tuesday—forming a particularly significant conjunction for ritual observance.
The verse implies responsibility toward ancestors and the departed: sincere, faith-filled ritual action (śrāddha) is presented as spiritually efficacious, linking dharma (duty) with compassion and continuity across generations.