Shloka 40
The Preta’s Staged Journey to Yama’s City: Monthly Śrāddha Supports, Vaitaraṇī Crossing, and the Witnesses of Deeds
मासि वै दशमे प्राप्ते रौद्रं स्थानं स गच्छति / दशमे मासि यद्दत्तं तद्भुक्त्वा च प्रयाति सः
māsi vai daśame prāpte raudraṃ sthānaṃ sa gacchati / daśame māsi yaddattaṃ tadbhuktvā ca prayāti saḥ
Wenn der zehnte Monat eintritt, geht der Verstorbene in die Region namens Raudra. Nachdem er genossen hat, was im zehnten Monat dargebracht wurde, zieht er dann weiter.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Tenth month after death (daśama-māsika)
Concept: The preta’s journey proceeds through progressively formidable stations; monthly dāna/śrāddha provides episodic support enabling onward passage.
Vedantic Theme: Impermanence of states within saṃsāra; movement driven by karma with intermittent alleviation through dharmic acts of the living.
Application: Do not discontinue māsika rites; consistent tenth-month offerings (dāna/śrāddha) are portrayed as enabling the departed to proceed beyond fierce stations.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: region
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: sequence of monthly stations and corresponding offerings culminating toward annual rites (general internal parallel)
FAQs
This verse states that the preta specifically partakes of the tenth-month gift and, supported by it, proceeds onward—showing the rite is believed to provide sustenance and passage at that stage.
It presents the journey as sequential by months: upon reaching the tenth month the preta arrives at a distinct region (Raudra), receives the benefit of that month’s offerings, and then continues to the next stage.
If following tradition, perform the monthly śrāddha/charity with consistency and a sattvic intention; ethically, it reinforces regular remembrance, responsibility to ancestors, and disciplined giving.