Shloka 17

The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body

Devanagari script

नानालोकान् विचरति महिषीञ्च ददाति यः / यमपुत्त्रस्य या माता महिषी सुगतिप्रदा

Transliteration

nānālokān vicarati mahiṣīñca dadāti yaḥ / yamaputtrasya yā mātā mahiṣī sugatipradā

Translation

مَن يجتاز بعد الموت عوالم شتّى، فإذا أُهديت بقرةُ جاموسٍ (أنثى) وفق الشعيرة، فإن تلك الجاموسة—المعدودة أمًّا لابن يَمَا—تمنح عبورًا حسنًا ومصيرًا ميمونًا.

Word by Word

• नाना-लोकान्: various worlds
• नाना-लोकान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाना (अव्यय/विशेषणार्थ) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (नाना लोकाः)

• विचरति: wanders/traverses
• विचरति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि√चर् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• महिषीम्: a buffalo-cow (female buffalo)
• महिषीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिषी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• ददाति: gives
• ददाति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-सर्वनाम

• यम-पुत्रस्य: of Yama's son
• यम-पुत्रस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम (प्रातिपदिक) + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (यमस्य पुत्रः)

• या: who (she who)
• या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-सर्वनाम

• माता: mother
• माता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• महिषी: female buffalo
• महिषी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिषी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• सुगति-प्रदा: bestowing good destiny
• सुगति-प्रदा: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुगति (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रदा (प्रातिपदिक; √दा-प्रद + टाप्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (सुगतिं प्रददाति इति)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instructing Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Post-death rites during the preta period (commonly within the first days; as per local prayoga)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prescribed dāna in funerary context can secure सुगति (good passage) for the departed; ritual objects become metaphysical supports.

Vedantic Theme: Interplay of karma and upāya (means) within dharma; compassionate action by the living assists the subtle journey of the jīva.

Application: Perform prescribed gifts during funerary rites with correct sankalpa for the departed; prioritize sincerity and proper procedure over display.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic route

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.31.18–20 (offerings to Yamadūtas; water-vessel dāna); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: descriptions of the preta’s journey and aids (general linkage)

Characters & Entities

• Yama
• Yama-putra

FAQs

What is the importance of mahishi-dāna (buffalo-cow donation) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that gifting a mahishī as a prescribed dāna supports the departed who must traverse many realms, and it functions as a su-gati-pradā—an aid for an auspicious passage in the after-death journey.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It implies a post-death movement through multiple lokas (realms). The verse frames specific dāna as a remedial support during this transitional journey associated with Yama’s domain.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform post-death rites with sincere charity in the spirit of dharma—supporting cows/animal welfare, feeding the needy, and giving in the departed’s name—so the intention of dāna (compassionate support and merit) is preserved even when literal ritual items are substituted.