Shloka 37

The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

मातामहस्तत्पिता च प्रमातामहकादयः । तेषां पिंडोमया दत्तो ह्यक्षय्यमुपतिष्ठताम् ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

mātāmahastatpitā ca pramātāmahakādayaḥ | teṣāṃ piṃḍomayā datto hyakṣayyamupatiṣṭhatām || 37 ||

Translation

愿我的外祖父、其父，以及诸位高祖等诸系先灵——愿我所奉献给他们的品荼（piṇḍa）确成不坏之供，功德无尽，恒常现前，以资养护。

Word by Word

• मातामहः: maternal grandfather
• मातामहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माता + मह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘mother’s father’

• तत्: that (his)
• तत्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘that’ (पिता इति विशेषण)

• पिता: father
• पिता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• प्रमातामहकादयः: pramātāmahakas and others
• प्रमातामहकादयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रमातामहक + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘pramātāmahaka and others’; ‘आदि’ अन्तेन समाहार/समूहबोध

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘of them’

• पिण्डः: the piṇḍa offering
• पिण्डः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मया: by me
• मया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; ‘by me’

• दत्तः: given
• दत्तः: Kriyā (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दत्त (प्रातिपदिक; √दा ‘to give’ से क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेतौ/निश्चयार्थे ‘indeed/for’

• अक्षय्यम्: imperishable (benefit)
• अक्षय्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्षय्य (प्रातिपदिक; नञ् + क्षय्य)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘imperishable’ (फलम्/स्थितिम् इत्यर्थे)

• उपतिष्ठताम्: may it attend/be present
• उपतिष्ठताम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + स्था (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative), तृतीयपुरुष, बहुवचन, आत्मनेपद; ‘let (it) be present/attend’

Speaker

Narada (teaching a śrāddha/ancestral rite formula in the Uttara-Bhaga context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Pitrs (ancestors)
• Mātāmaha (maternal grandfather)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It sanctifies piṇḍa-dāna by explicitly dedicating the offering to the maternal ancestral line and praying that its benefit become akṣayya (unfailing), ensuring lasting support to the Pitṛs.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Though primarily ritual, it reflects bhakti through reverent remembrance and selfless offering; the devotee acts as a conduit of dharma, seeking enduring welfare for ancestors rather than personal gain.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and correct dedication formulae (linked to Kalpa/śrauta–smārta practice) are emphasized—specifically, naming the maternal lineage recipients to ensure the intended śrāddha phala reaches them.