Shloka 9

Śrāddha Vidhi: Kāla (Timing), Pātra (Recipient), and Karma (Procedure) for Pitṛ-tarpaṇa and Piṇḍa

Devanagari script

युग्मान्देवे तथा पित्र्ये स्वप्रदेशेषु शक्तितः / द्वौ दैव प्रागुदक् पित्र्ये त्रीण्येकं चोभयोः पृथक्

Transliteration

yugmāndeve tathā pitrye svapradeśeṣu śaktitaḥ / dvau daiva prāgudak pitrye trīṇyekaṃ cobhayoḥ pṛthak

Translation

在供奉天神（Devas）和祖灵（Pitṛs）的仪式中，应根据自身能力，在各自的位置成对供奉。天神仪式需在东方和北方供奉两份；祖灵仪式供奉三份；若两者合祭，则各供奉一份，分开陈列。

Word by Word

• युग्मान्: pairs (sets)
• युग्मान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्म (to be placed/arranged)

• देवे: in (the rite for) the gods
• देवे: Adhikarana (Domain/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विषय/अधिकरण (in the deva-offering)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: रीति-अव्यय (adverb: likewise)

• पित्र्ये: in (the rite for) the ancestors
• पित्र्ये: Adhikarana (Domain/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पित्र्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विषय/अधिकरण (in the pitṛ-offering)

• स्वप्रदेशेषु: in their respective places
• स्वप्रदेशेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + प्रदेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; देश-अधिकरण

• शक्तितः: according to ability
• शक्तितः: Sambandha (Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb)

• द्वौ: two
• द्वौ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; संख्या-विशेषण

• दैव: in the deva-portion
• दैव: Adhikarana (Domain/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (अर्थे: दैवे); विषय/अधिकरण

• प्रागुदक्: with water placed to the east (eastward water)
• प्रागुदक्: Adhikarana (Direction/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्राक् + उदक् (अव्यय-समास)
• Form: दिशा-वाचक अव्यय (directional adverb)

• पित्र्ये: in the pitṛ-portion
• पित्र्ये: Adhikarana (Domain/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पित्र्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विषय/अधिकरण

• त्रीणि: three
• त्रीणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्या-विशेषण

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; संख्या-विशेषण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• उभयोः: of both (sections)
• उभयोः: Sambandha (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), द्विवचन; सम्बन्ध

• पृथक्: separately
• पृथक्: Sambandha (Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृथक् (अव्यय)
• Form: रीति-अव्यय (adverb: separately)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During offering arrangement stage (before feeding/anujñā)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual differentiation: Deva and Pitṛ offerings have distinct placements and counts; capacity (śakti) modulates execution without breaking rule-structure.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa order as a discipline of mind; honoring cosmic hierarchy (deva/pitṛ) through correct form.

Application: Arrange offerings in pairs; place Deva offerings toward east/north; Pitṛ offerings as three; when combining, keep separate allocations as prescribed.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual altar/offerings area with directional layout

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.99 (directional seating/offerings; deva-pitṛ distinction)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of offering counts (two/three) in Deva and Pitṛ rites in the Garuda Purana?

This verse standardizes how offerings are portioned for Devas versus Pitṛs, emphasizing correct ritual structure (number and placement) while allowing flexibility according to one’s means (śaktitaḥ).

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals for ancestors?

It gives practical śrāddha-style instructions: Pitṛ-related offerings are treated distinctly from Deva offerings, with specific counts and directions, reinforcing that ancestor rites must be performed properly and separately.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha/tarpaṇa, keep Deva and Pitṛ offerings distinct, follow traditional directionality and proportions as taught in your lineage, and do the rite within your capacity rather than abandoning it.