Shloka 76

Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths

Devanagari script

एकवारं त्रिवारं वा दशवारमथापि वा / भूमावश्मनि वा सर्वे क्षिपेयुर्वाग्यताः खग

Transliteration

ekavāraṃ trivāraṃ vā daśavāramathāpi vā / bhūmāvaśmani vā sarve kṣipeyurvāgyatāḥ khaga

Translation

مرةً واحدة، أو ثلاث مرات، أو حتى عشر مرات—فليلقِ الجميع، في صمت، يا أيها الطائر (غارودا)، القبضة المقرّرة إمّا على الأرض أو على حجر.

Word by Word

• एकवारम्: once
• एकवारम्: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एक-वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: एकः वारः (one time); क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण द्वितीया-एकवचन (adverbial accusative)

• त्रिवारम्: thrice
• त्रिवारम्: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्रि-वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगुसमासः: त्रयः वाराः (three times); क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण द्वितीया-एकवचन (adverbial accusative)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (disjunctive particle: or)

• दशवारम्: ten times
• दशवारम्: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दश-वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगुसमासः: दश वाराः (ten times); क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण द्वितीया-एकवचन (adverbial accusative)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (Sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक अव्यय (then/also)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (Addition)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक अव्यय (also/even)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (or)

• भूमौ: on the ground
• भूमौ: Adhikarana (Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• अश्मनि: on a stone
• अश्मनि: Adhikarana (Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (or)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• क्षिपेयुः: should throw/cast
• क्षिपेयुः: Karta (Predicate verb of सर्वे)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural); परस्मैपदम्

• वाग्यताः: restrained in speech
• वाग्यताः: Visheshana (Qualifier of सर्वे)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाक्-यत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: वाचा यताः (restrained in speech); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• खग: O bird (Garuda)
• खग: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During offering sequence following bath and preparation; count-based casting step.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual action gains force through correct repetition, silence (vāg-yama), and proper placement of offerings.

Vedantic Theme: Abhyāsa (repetition) and niyama (discipline) as supports for steadiness amid impermanence.

Application: Follow prescribed counts and maintain silence; use repetition to anchor attention and reduce emotional turbulence during rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-ground

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4.73–75: sequence of bath, kuśa, tila-jala offering leading to casting action; Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: broader emphasis on precise rites aiding the departed

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of silence (vāgyatā) in Garuda Purana rites for the departed?

This verse instructs that the act be performed with restrained speech, emphasizing ritual focus, purity of intention, and avoidance of careless talk during offerings connected with preta-kriyā.

How does this verse guide the correct performance of offerings in Preta Kanda?

It specifies permissible repetition—once, three times, or ten times—and allows the offering to be cast on the ground or on a stone, indicating practical flexibility within an established ritual framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha or remembrance rites, keep the atmosphere quiet and attentive, follow a consistent count as per family tradition or priestly guidance, and complete the offering respectfully without distraction.