Shloka 7
Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths
तिला लोहं हिरण्यं च कर्पासं लवणं तथा / सप्तधान्यं क्षितिर्गाव एकैकं पावनं स्मृतम्
tilā lohaṃ hiraṇyaṃ ca karpāsaṃ lavaṇaṃ tathā / saptadhānyaṃ kṣitirgāva ekaikaṃ pāvanaṃ smṛtam
حبّ السمسم، والحديد، والذهب، والقطن، والملح؛ وكذلك الحبوب السبع، والأرض، والبقر—كلّ واحدٍ منها على انفراد يُذكَر مطهِّرًا في شعائر مثل شرادها والصدقات.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Śrāddha occasions (parva/annual) and dāna contexts; also preparatory to antima-kāla rites.
Concept: Pavitrata through prescribed gifts/substances; material offerings as instruments of ritual and moral purification.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as citta-śuddhi leading toward higher pursuit; purification as support for dharma and eventual mokṣa-adhikāra.
Application: Use these items as eligible dāna/śrāddha offerings according to capacity; treat them as intentional acts of purification rather than mere transaction.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta/Śrāddha sections): discussions of tiladāna, ghṛtadāna, go-dāna, bhū-dāna, and mahādāna lists; Garuda Purana: antima-kāla dāna and path-provisions (pada) sequences following this verse
FAQs
This verse lists traditional pāvana-dravyas—items considered spiritually purifying when offered in śrāddha-related charity, supporting Pitṛ-kārya and aiding the departed through sanctifying merit (puṇya).
In the Preta Kanda, the departed (preta) is supported by rites and gifts performed by the living; the verse identifies specific offerings believed to purify and strengthen the ritual efficacy that benefits the deceased and ancestors.
During memorial rites or charitable acts in a deceased person’s name, one may prioritize simple, meaningful dāna—food grains, salt, cloth, or support for cows/land-related charity—done with sincerity and adherence to one’s tradition.