Shloka 51

Explanation of the Sapiṇḍana Rite; Causes of Pretahood; Viṣṇu Worship and Preta-ghaṭa Dāna

Devanagari script

त्रयोदशानां विप्राणां वस्त्रच्छत्राण्युपानहौ / अङ्गुलीयकमुक्तानि भाजनासनभोजनैः

Transliteration

trayodaśānāṃ viprāṇāṃ vastracchatrāṇyupānahau / aṅgulīyakamuktāni bhājanāsanabhojanaiḥ

Translation

তেৰজন বিপ্ৰক বস্ত্ৰ, ছত্ৰ আৰু পাদুকা; লগতে আঙুঠি আৰু মুক্তা, আৰু পাত্ৰ, আসন আৰু ভোজনো দান কৰিব।

Word by Word

• त्रयोदशानाम्: of thirteen
• त्रयोदशानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रयोदशन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगुसमासः (त्रयः + दश), षष्ठी, बहुवचन; विशेषण (विप्राणाम्)

• विप्राणाम्: of the Brahmins
• विप्राणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• वस्त्रच्छत्राणि: clothes and umbrellas
• वस्त्रच्छत्राणि: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र + छत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमासः (वस्त्राणि च छत्राणि च), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• उपानहौ: a pair of sandals/shoes
• उपानहौ: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपानह्/उपानत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन (dual)

• अङ्गुलीयकमुक्तानि: rings and pearls
• अङ्गुलीयकमुक्तानि: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुलीयक + मुक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमासः (अङ्गुलीयकानि च मुक्तानि च), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• भाजनासनभोजनैः: with vessels, seats, and food
• भाजनासनभोजनैः: Karana (Means/Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाजन + आसन + भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमासः (भाजनैः च आसनैः च भोजनैः च), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During brāhmaṇa-bhojana/dakṣiṇā segment of śrāddha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prescribed dāna—clothing, umbrella, footwear, rings, pearls, vessels, seats, and food—to thirteen brāhmaṇas as part of śrāddha completion.

Vedantic Theme: Dāna as karma-yoga when done without attachment; honoring the ritual recipients as carriers of sacred function.

Application: Give thoughtfully and adequately to officiants/recipients; ensure hospitality (āsana, bhojana) along with material gifts; avoid stinginess or showmanship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: ritual hall or courtyard seating arrangement

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: brāhmaṇa-bhojana and dakṣiṇā as essential śrāddha limbs; Garuda Purana: enumerations of dāna items and recipient counts in śrāddha contexts

Characters & Entities

• Vipras (Brahmanas)

FAQs

What is the importance of donating to thirteen brāhmaṇas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents a prescribed pattern of dāna (charitable gifts) to learned brāhmaṇas as part of śrāddha-related observances, emphasizing support through essential items—clothing, food, and necessities—offered with ritual intent for post-death merit and dharmic completion of rites.

How does this verse connect to the soul’s journey after death in Preta Kanda?

In Preta Kanda, ritual giving (dāna) and śrāddha acts are described as supports that generate merit and ritual efficacy for the departed; this verse specifies concrete offerings that form part of those prescribed observances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha or memorial charity, prioritize meaningful giving—clothes, food, and useful essentials—to qualified recipients, with sincerity and ethical conduct, aligning charity with dharma rather than mere display.