Shloka 36

Gayā-yātrā-vidhi: Multi-day Śrāddha Route, Pitṛ-devatās, and Akṣaya Merit at Gayā

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वा वणिग्गयाशीर्ष प्रेतराजाय पिण्डकम् / प्रददावनुजैः सार्धं स्वपितृभ्यस्ततो ददौ

Transliteration

śrutvā vaṇiggayāśīrṣa pretarājāya piṇḍakam / pradadāvanujaiḥ sārdhaṃ svapitṛbhyastato dadau

Translation

Nachdem er die Weisung des Oberhaupts der Kaufleute vernommen hatte, brachte er dem Herrn der Pretas (Yama) einen Piṇḍa dar; danach brachte er zusammen mit seinen jüngeren Brüdern Piṇḍas den eigenen Pitṛs, den Ahnenvätern, dar.

Word by Word

श्रुत्वाhaving heard

वणिक्the merchant

गयाशीर्षto Gayā-śīrṣa

प्रेतराजायto the king of the pretas

पिण्डकम्a piṇḍa offering

प्रददौgave

अनुजैःwith (his) younger brothers

सार्धम्together with

स्वपितृभ्यःfrom (his) own fathers/ancestors

ततःthen/thereafter

ददौgave

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa, narrating ritual practice)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Tīrtha-śrāddha sequence including offerings to Yama/preta-rāja and then to Pitṛs; performed with family participation

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual order (krama) and proper addressees matter: offerings may be directed to Yama (preta-rāja) and then to one’s Pitṛs; family cooperation strengthens pitṛ-kārya.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as harmonizing cosmic administration (Yama) and familial continuity (Pitṛs); karma becomes ‘well-placed’ through correct devatā-sambandha.

Application: Follow prescribed śrāddha sequence under competent guidance; involve siblings/family to complete obligations and avoid disputes over rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: tīrtha-kṣetra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha-vidhi passages describing devatā/pitṛ offerings and sequencing; Mentions of Yama as preta-rāja in Pretakalpa

Characters & Entities

Yama (Preta-rāja)

Pitṛs (ancestors)

FAQs

What is the importance of offering a piṇḍa to Yama (Preta-rāja) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse indicates a ritual sequence where a piṇḍa is first offered to Preta-rāja (Yama), acknowledging the authority governing the departed’s passage, before offerings are directed to one’s Pitṛs—supporting orderly rites for the deceased and ancestors.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By naming Yama as Preta-rāja and linking him with piṇḍa offerings, the verse reflects the Garuda Purana framework that the departed passes through Yama’s domain; proper śrāddha and piṇḍa-dāna are portrayed as supportive acts during this transitional phase and in relation to the Pitṛs.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform śrāddha/piṇḍa-dāna with correct intention and sequence—honoring both the cosmic order (Yama) and familial lineage (Pitṛs)—and cultivate gratitude and responsibility toward ancestors through ethical living and remembrance.