Shloka 8

Āśauca and Udaka-kriyā: Post-Cremation Conduct, Eligibility, and Purifiers

Devanagari script

क्रिया कार्या यथाशक्ति ततो गच्छेद्गृहान्प्रति / विदश्य निम्बपत्राणि नियता द्वारि वेश्मनः

Transliteration

kriyā kāryā yathāśakti tato gacchedgṛhānprati / vidaśya nimbapatrāṇi niyatā dvāri veśmanaḥ

Translation

تُؤدَّى الشعائر بقدر الاستطاعة؛ ثم يمضي المرء نحو البيت بعد مضغ أوراق النِّيم، ملتزمًا بالانضباط، واقفًا عند باب الدار.

Word by Word

• क्रिया: rite, act
• क्रिया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कार्या: should be performed
• कार्या: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कार्य (कृदन्त, तव्यत्)
• Form: कृदन्त (तव्यत्/gerundive) स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय—'to be done'

• यथाशक्ति: according to one’s capacity
• यथाशक्ति: Modifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययभाव)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समासः; क्रियाविशेषण (according to ability)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Modifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनन्तर/हेतुवाचक (then/thereafter)

• गच्छेत्: one should go
• गच्छेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• गृहान्: houses, home(s)
• गृहान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• प्रति: towards
• प्रति: Direction (दिक्/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय/उपसर्ग)
• Form: अव्यय; उपपद/पूर्वसर्ग-स्वरूपेण दिशावाचक (towards)

• विदश्य: having chewed/bitten
• विदश्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दश् (धातु) + वि (उपसर्ग) → विदश्य (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund): 'having bitten/chewed'

• निम्बपत्राणि: neem leaves
• निम्बपत्राणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निम्ब + पत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (निम्बस्य पत्राणि)

• नियता: restrained, disciplined
• नियता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (of an implied agent, e.g., 'she/he, being disciplined')

• द्वारि: at the door
• द्वारि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• वेश्मनः: of the house
• वेश्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेश्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After completing śrāddha/udaka-kriyā, during return and post-rite purification before entering the home.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Perform rites according to capacity (yathāśakti) and observe post-rite purification/discipline (nimbapatra, niyama) before re-entering home.

Vedantic Theme: niyama and śuddhi as supports for sattva; moderation and capacity-based duty reduce hypocrisy and harm.

Application: Do prescribed observances within means; after funerary/ritual duties, follow hygienic and behavioral restraints before resuming normal household life.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: domestic threshold

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.106 (post-rite conduct and purification measures)

FAQs

What is the importance of performing rites 'according to one’s capacity' in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes proportional duty: the rites should be done sincerely within one’s means, prioritizing dharma and correct procedure over display or hardship.

How does this verse relate to purification practices after death rites?

By mentioning chewing neem leaves and restraint at the doorway, it points to post-ritual śauca—practices meant to restore purity and composure when returning home after funerary acts.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform essential rites responsibly within your resources, and observe mindful cleanliness and restraint when transitioning back into household life after solemn ceremonies.