The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
तिलमिश्रांस्तथा सक्तून्निःक्षिपेत्प्रेतपर्वते । ये केचित्प्रेतरूपेण वर्तंते पितरो मम ॥ ६४ ॥
tilamiśrāṃstathā saktūnniḥkṣipetpretaparvate | ye kecitpretarūpeṇa vartaṃte pitaro mama || 64 ||
当将掺芝麻的萨克图(炒制大麦粉)置于“饿鬼山”之上,并发愿曰:“愿我诸祖先中,凡以饿鬼(preta)形态存者,皆得满足。”
Narrator (Purāṇic instruction within the Uttara-bhāga’s tīrtha/ritual discourse; traditionally framed as Sūta conveying the teaching)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
It prescribes a targeted śrāddha-style offering—sesame mixed with saktu—meant specifically to relieve and satisfy ancestors who may be lingering in the preta condition, emphasizing compassionate duty (pitṛ-dharma).
While primarily ritual, it supports bhakti through seva-like responsibility: honoring one’s lineage and performing prescribed acts with sincere intention, which aligns personal piety with dharmic devotion.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implicit—choice of offering substance (tila, saktu), designated place (preta-parvata), and the sankalpa-like intent directed to pitṛs in a specific post-death state.