Shloka 54

The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

पितृवंशे मृता ये च मातृवंशे च ये मृताः । गुरुश्वशुरबंधूनां ये चान्ये बांधवा मृताः ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

pitṛvaṃśe mṛtā ye ca mātṛvaṃśe ca ye mṛtāḥ | guruśvaśurabaṃdhūnāṃ ye cānye bāṃdhavā mṛtāḥ || 54 ||

Translation

Lahat ng pumanaw sa angkan ng ama, at lahat ng pumanaw sa angkan ng ina; gayundin ang mga yumao sa mga kamag-anak ng guru at ng mga kamag-anak ng biyenan, at ang iba pang mga kamag-anak na lumisan—sila’y dapat alalahanin at handugan.

Word by Word

पितृ-वंशेin the paternal line

मृताःdead

येwho

चand

मातृ-वंशेin the maternal line

चand

येwho

मृताःdead

गुरु-श्वशुर-बन्धूनाम्of (my) teachers, fathers-in-law, and relatives

येwho

चand

अन्येother

बांधवाःkinsmen

मृताःdead

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It broadens the scope of Pitṛ-kārya by directing remembrance and offerings not only to one’s direct ancestors but also to maternal kin and other departed relations, emphasizing gratitude (ṛṇa) and continuity of lineage through dharmic rites.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

While primarily a dharma-ritual instruction, it supports bhakti indirectly by teaching reverent remembrance and selfless duty; such disciplined observance purifies the mind and aligns household life with devotion-centered righteousness.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied: the verse functions like a ritual eligibility list—who should be included in tarpaṇa/śrāddha sankalpa—helping the practitioner correctly frame offerings according to dharmic rules.