Shloka 47

Gayā-kṣetra and Phalgu Tīrtha: Sites, Rites, and the Liberation of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

श्राद्धी तत्र तृतीयायां निश्चिरायाश्च मण्डले / महाह्रदे च कौशिक्यामक्षयं फलमाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

śrāddhī tatra tṛtīyāyāṃ niścirāyāśca maṇḍale / mahāhrade ca kauśikyāmakṣayaṃ phalamāpnuyāt

Translation

若有人于彼处行施祖祭（Śrāddha）——在月相第三日——于尼施支罗（Niścirā）之坛轮（maṇḍala），并于考湿吉河（Kauśikī）之大湖行之，便得不坏不尽之功德。

Word by Word

• श्राद्धी: a performer of śrāddha
• श्राद्धी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्धिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृवाचक-नाम (one who performs śrāddha)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक

• तृतीयायाम्: in (the place called) Tṛtīyā
• तृतीयायाम्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृतीया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• निश्चिरायाः: of Niścirā
• निश्चिरायाः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निश्चिरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक

• मण्डले: in the region/circle
• मण्डले: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• महाह्रदे: in the great lake
• महाह्रदे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाह्रद (प्रातिपदिक; महा + ह्रद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय (महान् ह्रदः)

• च: and
• च: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक

• कौशिक्याम्: in/at Kauśikī
• कौशिक्याम्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौशिकी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• अक्षयम्: imperishable
• अक्षयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण

• फलम्: fruit/result
• फलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• आप्नुयात्: may obtain
• आप्नुयात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: tṛtīyā (third lunar day) at Niścirā-maṇḍala and at the Mahāhrada on Kauśikī

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Akṣaya-phala arises from properly timed and located śrāddha performed with śraddhā and correctness.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga principle: action gains higher efficacy when offered in alignment with dharma; merit as a means toward purification (citta-śuddhi).

Application: Perform śrāddha on tṛtīyā at the specified mandala/lake; ensure sankalpa includes pitṛ-nāma/gotra, and maintain ritual purity and appropriate dakṣiṇā/anna-dāna.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual circle/mandala and great lake (mahā-hrada) near a river

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.83.49 (Niścirā lake and single-visit/single-piṇḍa rule); Garuda Purana Gayā-śrāddha passages across Pretakalpa/Ācāra sections (recensional)

Characters & Entities

• Pitṛs
• Kauśikī

FAQs

What is the importance of performing Śrāddha at a tīrtha in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse states that Śrāddha performed at specified sacred locations yields akṣaya phala—an unfailing, enduring spiritual merit—especially when done on the indicated tithi.

How does this verse relate to the post-death framework taught in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

By emphasizing Śrāddha and tīrtha-observance, the verse supports the Purāṇic view that proper ancestral rites aid the Pitṛs and strengthen dharmic continuity, which in turn supports auspicious outcomes in the after-death journey described elsewhere in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If you perform Śrāddha, prioritize correct tithi, intention, and purity; when possible, do it at a recognized sacred water-body/river setting, dedicating the act to the Pitṛs for lasting merit.