Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 36
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
त्रयाणामपि पिण्डानां श्रुत्वा भगवतो गतिम्
trayāṇām api piṇḍānāṃ śrutvā bhagavato gatim | śrāddhasya rahasyaṃ jñātaṃ; devadūta! tvayā yat śrāddhavidher nirṇayaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ, tadanusāreṇa trayāṇām api piṇḍānāṃ gatiḥ kathyate | sāvadhānaḥ śṛṇu me ||
Nang marinig niya mula kay Panginoong Viṣṇu ang itinakdang hantungan ng tatlong handog na piṇḍa, naunawaan niya ang lihim na diwa ng ritong śrāddha. “O sugo ng mga diyos,” wika, “yamang humingi ka ng malinaw na pasya tungkol sa wastong paraan ng śrāddha, ipaliliwanag ngayon ang kinahihinatnan ng tatlong piṇḍa. Makinig ka sa akin nang buong pag-iingat.”
देवदूत उवाच
Educational Q&A
Śrāddha is presented not as a mere formality but as a dharmic act whose offerings (piṇḍas) have specific intended results; therefore one should learn the rite’s rationale and perform it with attention and correct procedure.
A divine messenger asks for a definitive ruling on the śrāddha method. The speaker responds that, since the outcomes of the three piṇḍa-offerings have been heard from Viṣṇu and the rite’s inner meaning grasped, the distinct ‘gati’ (result/destination) of each piṇḍa will now be explained, urging careful listening.