Shloka 159
Genealogy of the Ancestors (Pitṛs) and the Procedure of Śrāddha
दत्तमक्षयमित्याहुः पितरः पूर्वदेवताः । स्वाध्यायं श्रावयेत्पित्र्यं पुराणान्यखिलानि च
dattamakṣayamityāhuḥ pitaraḥ pūrvadevatāḥ | svādhyāyaṃ śrāvayetpitryaṃ purāṇānyakhilāni ca
เหล่าปิตฤ—เทวะโบราณ—กล่าวว่า “ทานที่ถวายตามพิธีอันถูกต้อง ย่อมเป็นอักษยะ คือไม่เสื่อมสูญ” เพราะฉะนั้นพึงให้สวดสวาธยายะเพื่อปิตฤ และให้สาธยายปุราณะทั้งปวงด้วย
Pitṛs (ancestral deities) as the quoted authority within the narration
Concept: Dāna performed in proper rite becomes akṣaya (imperishable); recitation of pitṛ-related svādhyāya and Purāṇas nourishes and honors the ancestors.
Application: On śrāddha days, combine charity with sacred listening/recitation; sponsor Purāṇa reading, feed brāhmaṇas, and dedicate merit to ancestors with a devotional intention.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A śrāddha gathering where translucent, benevolent Pitṛs hover like soft moonlit silhouettes above the ritual space, hands raised in blessing as a priest recites from palm-leaf manuscripts. A householder offers dāna—cloth, grains, and a small pot of ghee—while another reciter chants Purāṇa passages, making the air feel thick with sacred remembrance.","primary_figures":["Pitṛs (ancestral deities)","brāhmaṇa reciter","gṛhastha donor"],"setting":"ritual pavilion with kuśa grass seats, palm-leaf manuscripts, dāna items arranged neatly, small fire/lamps","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["pearl white","ash gray","indigo blue","ghee-gold","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central brāhmaṇa reciter with palm-leaf manuscript, donor presenting cloth and grains; above them, stylized Pitṛs with gold leaf aura and ornate crowns, rich crimson and emerald textiles, heavy jewelry highlights, symmetrical composition with temple-lamp motifs and gold borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene night-time śrāddha scene with cool blues, delicate faces, fine manuscript details; Pitṛs appear as faint luminous forms in the sky; courtyard architecture and a small tulsi pot in the periphery as cultural realism (not doctrinally central).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat pigments; Pitṛs in a horizontal band above, priest and donor below; strong lamp flame, ritual vessels, red-yellow-green palette with black detailing and stylized eyes.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral border with lotus and creepers; central tableau of Purāṇa-śravaṇa and dāna; peacocks at corners, deep blue ground, gold highlights; Pitṛs depicted in small circular medallions above as blessing witnesses."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft Vedic chanting","page/palm-leaf rustle","lamp crackle","distant temple bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दत्तमक्षयम् = दत्तम् + अक्षयम्; इत्याहुः = इति + आहुः; श्रावयेत्पित्र्यं = श्रावयेत् + पित्र्यम्; पुराणान्यखिलानि = पुराणानि + अखिलानि.
FAQs
It recommends making gifts (dāna) and arranging the recitation/hearing of ancestral-oriented svādhyāya (Vedic recitation) and Purāṇas as offerings for the Pitṛs.
It implies that a properly offered gift—especially within righteous rites such as śrāddha—yields an enduring, inexhaustible merit rather than a temporary result.
The verse underscores generosity and reverent remembrance: giving and transmitting sacred knowledge are presented as lasting acts that benefit both the giver and the ancestral lineage.