Shloka 7

Devanagari script

कार्तिके च चतुर्दश्यां दीपदानं सुखाय वै / अथ वक्ष्यामि संक्षेपाद्यममार्गस्य निष्कृतिम्

Transliteration

kārtike ca caturdaśyāṃ dīpadānaṃ sukhāya vai / atha vakṣyāmi saṃkṣepādyamamārgasya niṣkṛtim

Translation

Am vierzehnten Mondtag (caturdaśī) des Monats Kārtika bringt die Gabe einer Lampe (dīpa-dāna) wahrlich Trost und Wohlergehen. Nun will ich kurz die niṣkṛti, das sühnevolle Heilmittel, hinsichtlich des Weges zu Yama (der Reise nach dem Tod) darlegen.

Word by Word

• कार्तिके: in (the month of) Kārtika
• कार्तिके: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/7th), एकवचनम्; कालवाचक-स्थानाधिकरणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपातः (conjunction)

• चतुर्दश्याम्: on the fourteenth lunar day
• चतुर्दश्याम्: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्दशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/7th), एकवचनम्; तिथिवाचकम्

• दीपदानम्: the giving of a lamp
• दीपदानम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप + दान (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Nom./Acc. 1st/2nd), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दीपस्य दानम्)

• सुखाय: for happiness
• सुखाय: Sampradana (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, चतुर्थी-विभक्तिः (Dative/4th), एकवचनम्; प्रयोजनार्थः

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-निपातः (emphatic particle)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-निपातः (then/now)

• वक्ष्यामि: I shall speak
• वक्ष्यामि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकारः (Simple Future), उत्तम-पुरुषः (1st person), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• संक्षेपात्: briefly
• संक्षेपात्: Apadana (Ablative/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संक्षेप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, पञ्चमी-विभक्तिः (Ablative/5th), एकवचनम्; प्रकार/रीतिवाचकः (in brief)

• यममार्गस्य: of the path of Yama
• यममार्गस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (Genitive/6th), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (यमस्य मार्गः)

• निष्कृतिम्: the expiation/remedy
• निष्कृतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निष्कृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम्; कर्मपदम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna and niṣkṛti (expiatory/ameliorative acts) prepare and protect the jīva for the post-mortem journey (Yama-mārga).

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala and saṃskāra: intentional righteous action refines the subtle trajectory after death; dharma as a means to inner and outer well-being.

Application: Observe Kārtika caturdaśī dīpa-dāna with sankalpa for welfare of self and departed; adopt regular charity as a preventative niṣkṛti.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-time marker

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: Yama-mārga descriptions and niṣkṛti sections (general); Garuda Purana Śrāddha-kalpa: dāna prescriptions tied to ekādaśāha/dvādaśāha/trayodaśāha (general)

Characters & Entities

• Yama
• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of dīpa-dāna on Kārtika Chaturdaśī in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that offering a lamp on Kārtika’s fourteenth day is a source of sukha (comfort and well-being), and it is presented as a supportive rite connected to after-death concerns.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s path to Yama (Yama-mārga)?

It introduces the topic of Yama-mārga and signals that the text will explain niṣkṛti—remedial practices meant to reduce hardship and fear associated with the post-mortem journey.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Observe Kārtika Chaturdaśī with a sincere lamp offering (at home/temple or as charity), dedicating the merit for peace and clarity—especially when performing or supporting śrāddha-related intentions.