Shloka 12
Śrāddha-Kalpa: Pitṛ-Pūjā and Tithi-Phala (श्राद्धकल्पः पितृपूजा च तिथिफलम्)
तत्रागम्य पितुः पुत्र श्राद्धकर्म समारभम् | माता मे जाह्नवी चात्र साहाय्यमकरोत् तदा,बेटा! वहाँ पहुँचकर मैंने पिताका श्राद्धकर्म आरम्भ किया। इस कार्यमें वहाँ उस समय मेरी माता गंगाने भी बड़ी सहायता की
tatrāgamya pituḥ putra śrāddhakarma samārabham | mātā me jāhnavī cātra sāhāyyam akarot tadā ||
“Anak ko, pagdating ko roon ay sinimulan ko ang mga ritong śrāddha para sa aking ama. Noon, naroon din ang aking ina na si Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā) at malaki ang itinulong niya sa pagsasagawa ng seremonya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights pitṛdharma—one’s ethical and ritual responsibility toward one’s father and ancestors. Performing śrāddha is presented as a concrete act of gratitude, continuity, and duty, supported by family and divine lineage (Gaṅgā as mother).
Bhīṣma addresses his listener as ‘son’ and recounts that he arrived at a certain place and commenced his father’s śrāddha rites. His mother, Gaṅgā—also called Jāhnavī—was present and assisted him in completing the ritual.