Shloka 17

Tila–Darbha–Maṇḍala in Aūrdhvadaihika: Protection, Eligibility, and the Merit of Salt-Dāna

Devanagari script

एक एव तिलद्रोणो हेमद्रोणतिलैः समः / तर्पणे दानहोमे च दत्तो भवति चाक्षयः

Transliteration

eka eva tiladroṇo hemadroṇatilaiḥ samaḥ / tarpaṇe dānahome ca datto bhavati cākṣayaḥ

Translation

Ein einziges Droṇa-Maß Sesam gilt als gleich einem Droṇa-Maß Sesam aus Gold. Wird es bei Tarpaṇa, als Dāna (Gabe) und im Homa (Feueropfer) dargebracht, wird es zu einer akṣaya-Gabe, unvergänglich.

Word by Word

• ekaḥ: one (single)
• ekaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjective)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha/Emphasis (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphasis)

• tiladroṇaḥ: a droṇa-measure of sesame
• tiladroṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tila (प्रातिपदिक) + droṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (tila-droṇa = droṇa of sesame) (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• hemadroṇatilaiḥ: with sesame (worth) a droṇa of gold
• hemadroṇatilaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hema (प्रातिपदिक) + droṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + tila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः (hemadroṇa-tilaiḥ = with sesame equal to a droṇa of gold) (Instrumental plural)

• samaḥ: equal
• samaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; predicate adjective)

• tarpaṇe: in the act of tarpaṇa (libation/satiation rite)
• tarpaṇe: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tarpaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन (Locative singular)

• dānahome: in donation and fire-offering
• dānahome: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक) + homa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः (dāna-homa = in donation and oblation) (Locative singular)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• dattaḥ: given/offered
• dattaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (दा, धातु) → datta (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘given’ (Masculine nominative singular)

• bhavati: becomes/is
• bhavati: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू, धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (Present indicative, 3rd sg.)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• akṣayaḥ: imperishable/inexhaustible
• akṣayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (उपसर्ग/नञ्) + kṣaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुषार्थक विशेषण (Masculine nominative singular; ‘imperishable’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Śrāddha/tarpaṇa occasions (including amāvāsyā, saṅkrānti, mahālaya context in broader tradition)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Small material offering, when properly directed, yields imperishable merit (akṣaya-phala).

Vedantic Theme: Karma as purifier and merit-generator within dharma; efficacy depends on saṅkalpa and vidhi rather than material opulence.

Application: Use sesame in tarpaṇa/śrāddha-related offerings, charity, and homa with correct intention; prioritize consistency over extravagance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (gṛhya/śrauta altar setting)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/Śrāddha-khaṇḍa themes: akṣaya-dāna, tila-dāna, tarpaṇa-vidhi, homa-phala

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of tila (sesame) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse states that even ordinary sesame offered in tarpaṇa, dāna, or homa is valued like “golden sesame” and yields akṣaya (inexhaustible) merit—hence tila is highly recommended in śrāddha-related rites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana context?

In the Preta Kanda, post-death welfare is supported through rites for the departed and Pitṛs; the verse highlights that offerings with tila generate lasting merit, understood as aiding the departed’s onward journey and well-being through sustained ritual efficacy.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing tarpaṇa, śrāddha-related charity, or a homa, include tila with sincerity; the teaching emphasizes that simple, accessible offerings done properly can carry enduring spiritual value.