Shloka 1
The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
वसुरुवाच । श्रृणु मोहिनि वक्ष्यामि पुण्यं प्रेतशिलाभवम् । माहात्म्यं यत्र दत्वा तु पिंडान्पितॄन्समुद्धरेत् ॥ १ ॥
vasuruvāca | śrṛṇu mohini vakṣyāmi puṇyaṃ pretaśilābhavam | māhātmyaṃ yatra datvā tu piṃḍānpitṝnsamuddharet || 1 ||
婆苏说道：“请听，摩希尼。我将宣说由‘普雷塔希拉’（Pretaśilā，亡灵之石）所生的神圣功德——此处的伟大在于：以供奉皮恩达（piṇḍa）之礼，能拔济祖先。”
Vasu
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It introduces the Pretaśilā-māhātmya and frames the tirtha as a powerful place where piṇḍa offerings performed with faith are said to uplift one’s pitṛs (ancestors).
Though focused on ancestral rites, it reflects bhakti through śraddhā—reverent devotion expressed as sacred offering (dāna) and remembrance, aligning family duty with spiritual merit.
Ritual application is implied: correct performance of piṇḍa-dāna/śrāddha belongs to Kalpa (Vedāṅga of ritual procedure), emphasizing place-based efficacy (tīrtha-māhātmya) and proper rite execution.