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 ||
“孩子啊，我到达那里后，便为父王开始施罗陀（śrāddha）之礼。那时，我的母亲阇诃那毗（Jāhnavī，即恒河女神Gaṅgā）也在场，极力相助，使仪式得以顺利进行。”
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.