Shloka 37
Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga
Path to Yama
दशमेन तु पूर्णत्वं तृप्तता क्षुद्विपर्ययः / मध्यमां षोडशीं वच्मि वैनतेय शृणुष्व मे
daśamena tu pūrṇatvaṃ tṛptatā kṣudviparyayaḥ / madhyamāṃ ṣoḍaśīṃ vacmi vainateya śṛṇuṣva me
دسویں عمل سے تکمیل حاصل ہوتی ہے؛ تسکین ہوتی ہے اور بھوک کا الٹ (زوال) ہو جاتا ہے۔ اب میں درمیانی سولہویں ودھی بیان کرتا ہوں؛ اے وینتیہ، میری بات سنو۔
Lord Vishnu
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Within the enumerated śrāddha sequence; reference to the tenth and the ‘middle’ sixteenth set.
Concept: Ritual sequence yields ‘pūrṇatva’ (completion) and ‘tṛpti’ (satisfaction); the middle set culminating in the sixteenth is to be taught systematically.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as a purifier and stabilizer of saṃskāra; ordered action (niyama) supports inner steadiness (śānti).
Application: Follow the prescribed count and order of rites; treat śrāddha as a structured regimen rather than ad hoc offerings.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana, Preta-kalpa: śrāddha-krama discussions around ekādaśāha and sapīṇḍīkaraṇa (contextual)
FAQs
This verse states that by the tenth observance, the departed attains a sense of completeness and relief—symbolically described as satiation and the ending of hunger—indicating the ritual’s role in stabilizing the preta’s condition.
It frames the post-death journey as supported by a sequence of rites, where specific days/steps produce specific effects for the preta, such as easing distress (here, hunger) and moving toward a more settled state.
Performing ancestral rites with order, sincerity, and proper intent—especially key day-based observances—reflects responsibility toward family lineage and reinforces dharma through remembrance, charity, and disciplined ritual conduct.