Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 15

The Destiny of Those Who Die Through Fasting & the Procedure of Udakumbha-dāna

Devanagari script

अहन्यहनि सङ्कल्प्य विधिपूर्वं खगेश्वर / ब्राह्मणाय कुलीनाय वेदवृत्तयुताय च

Transliteration

ahanyahani saṅkalpya vidhipūrvaṃ khageśvara / brāhmaṇāya kulīnāya vedavṛttayutāya ca

Translation

يا سيّد الطير (غارودا)، بعد أن يعقد المرء كلَّ يومٍ السَّنْكَلْبَة (saṅkalpa) على الوجه الصحيح ويتّبع الإجراء المقرّر، فليقدّم العطاء لبرهميٍّ كريم النسب، يعيش على هدي الفيدا ومتحلٍّ بالسلوك الفيدي.

Word by Word

• ahani: on (every) day
• ahani: Kala-adhikarana (Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ahan (अहन्)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• ahani: on (every) day
• ahani: Kala-adhikarana (Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ahan (अहन्)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (Repetition implies 'daily')

• saṅkalpya: having resolved/intended
• saṅkalpya: Purvakala-kriya (Prior Action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam + kḷp (सम् + कृप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund

• vidhipūrvam: according to rule/preceded by ritual
• vidhipūrvam: Kriya-visheshana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhipūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial Compound

• khageśvara: O Lord of Birds (Garuda)
• khageśvara: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khageśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana), Singular

• brāhmaṇāya: to a Brahmin
• brāhmaṇāya: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• kulīnāya: to one of good family
• kulīnāya: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kulīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• vedavṛttayutāya: to one endowed with Veda and good conduct
• vedavṛttayutāya: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vedavṛttayuta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च)
• Form: Conjunction

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Ahan-ahan (daily), after saṅkalpa and as per vidhi.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna/offerings should be done with daily saṅkalpa and according to vidhi, and given to a kulīna Brāhmaṇa who lives by Vedic livelihood and conduct.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-śuddhi through niyata-karma (regular duty) performed with intention and right means.

Application: Create a consistent giving practice with clear intention; verify integrity/competence of recipients; follow lawful and transparent procedures.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual setting (daily observance)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.37.14 (upacāra and giving); Garuda Purana 2.37.16 (qualification: learned vs foolish)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Brahmana
• Veda

FAQs

What is the importance of daily saṅkalpa in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse emphasizes that offerings and charity connected to rites should be preceded by a clear saṅkalpa and performed vidhi-pūrvam—only then the act becomes ritually valid and spiritually effective.

How does this verse guide Shraddha-related giving for the departed?

It directs that the gift/offerings be given to a suitable recipient—specifically a well-born Brāhmaṇa who follows Vedic conduct—indicating that the merit intended for the deceased depends on correct procedure and proper eligibility.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before any religious donation or memorial rite, make a clear intention, follow an authentic procedure, and support recipients of proven integrity and disciplined practice rather than giving casually or for display.