Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 19

The Explanation of the Post-funeral Rites (Aurdhvadehika) and Related Matters

Devanagari script

पञ्चकानन्तरं तस्य कर्तव्यं सर्वमन्यथा / पुत्राणां गोत्रिणां तस्य सन्तापो ऽप्युपजायते

Transliteration

pañcakānantaraṃ tasya kartavyaṃ sarvamanyathā / putrāṇāṃ gotriṇāṃ tasya santāpo 'pyupajāyate

Translation

بعد انقضاء زمن البَنجَكَة (pañcaka)، يجب أداء سائر الشعائر وفق الترتيب البديل المقرر؛ وإلا نشأ الألم والابتلاء لابنيه ولأقاربه من نفس الغوترا (السلالة).

Word by Word

• पञ्चक-अनन्तरम्: after the pañcaka (period)
• पञ्चक-अनन्तरम्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पञ्चक (प्रातिपदिक) + अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव समास; अव्ययार्थ: 'after the pañcaka' (postpositional adverb)

• तस्य: of that (person/thing)
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक; षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• कर्तव्यम्: should be done
• कर्तव्यम्: विधेय (Predicate/obligation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कर्तव्य (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; तव्यत्-प्रत्यय: 'to be done' (impersonal obligation)

• सर्वम्: everything
• सर्वम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अन्यथा: otherwise
• अन्यथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (manner adverb): 'otherwise/differently'

• पुत्राणाम्: of sons
• पुत्राणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• गोत्रिणाम्: of kinsmen of the lineage
• गोत्रिणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोत्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन; 'clansmen/agnates'

• तस्य: of him/of that
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• सन्तापः: distress/affliction
• सन्तापः: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्ताप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: सम्बन्ध (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक अव्यय (also/even)

• उपजायते: arises/comes about
• उपजायते: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; उपसर्गयुक्त

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Immediately after pañcaka ends (pañcakānantaram).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Improper timing/sequence of rites yields adverse karmic-social fallout (santāpa) for sons and gotrins; correct performance after pañcaka restores order.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala extends through relational networks (family/lineage) in dharmic life; right action mitigates suffering.

Application: If rites were deferred due to pañcaka, perform them immediately afterward in the prescribed alternative order; ensure lineage members coordinate to avoid omissions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.35 (postponement and ‘otherwise’ procedure after pañcaka)

Characters & Entities

• Putras (sons)
• Gotra/Gotrins (lineage-kin)

FAQs

What is the importance of the pañcaka period in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse treats pañcaka as a key boundary after which subsequent rites must be carried out in the proper prescribed sequence; ignoring that timing/sequence is said to generate distress affecting the deceased’s sons and gotra-kin.

How does this verse explain the consequences of improper funeral and śrāddha procedures?

It states a direct karmic-ritual consequence: if the required rites are not performed correctly after the pañcaka period, “santāpa” (affliction) arises for the immediate heirs (sons) and the wider lineage (gotrins), emphasizing collective responsibility in preta-kritya.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow an authentic, tradition-aligned sequence for post-death rites (with qualified guidance) and treat family obligations around bereavement as dharma—careful observance is presented as protecting the family from avoidable mental and spiritual distress.