Shloka 17

The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body

Devanagari script

नानालोकान् विचरति महिषीञ्च ददाति यः / यमपुत्त्रस्य या माता महिषी सुगतिप्रदा

Transliteration

nānālokān vicarati mahiṣīñca dadāti yaḥ / yamaputtrasya yā mātā mahiṣī sugatipradā

Translation

Wer nach dem Tod durch viele Welten wandert: Wird rituell eine Büffelkuh gespendet, so wird sie—als Mutter von Yamas Sohn verehrt—zur Spenderin eines guten Übergangs und eines glückverheißenden Geschicks.

Word by Word

• नाना-लोकान्: various worlds
• नाना-लोकान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाना (अव्यय/विशेषणार्थ) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (नाना लोकाः)

• विचरति: wanders/traverses
• विचरति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि√चर् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• महिषीम्: a buffalo-cow (female buffalo)
• महिषीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिषी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

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

• ददाति: gives
• ददाति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-सर्वनाम

• यम-पुत्रस्य: of Yama's son
• यम-पुत्रस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम (प्रातिपदिक) + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (यमस्य पुत्रः)

• या: who (she who)
• या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-सर्वनाम

• माता: mother
• माता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• महिषी: female buffalo
• महिषी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिषी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• सुगति-प्रदा: bestowing good destiny
• सुगति-प्रदा: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुगति (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रदा (प्रातिपदिक; √दा-प्रद + टाप्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (सुगतिं प्रददाति इति)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instructing Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Post-death rites during the preta period (commonly within the first days; as per local prayoga)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prescribed dāna in funerary context can secure सुगति (good passage) for the departed; ritual objects become metaphysical supports.

Vedantic Theme: Interplay of karma and upāya (means) within dharma; compassionate action by the living assists the subtle journey of the jīva.

Application: Perform prescribed gifts during funerary rites with correct sankalpa for the departed; prioritize sincerity and proper procedure over display.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic route

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.31.18–20 (offerings to Yamadūtas; water-vessel dāna); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: descriptions of the preta’s journey and aids (general linkage)

Characters & Entities

• Yama
• Yama-putra

FAQs

What is the importance of mahishi-dāna (buffalo-cow donation) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that gifting a mahishī as a prescribed dāna supports the departed who must traverse many realms, and it functions as a su-gati-pradā—an aid for an auspicious passage in the after-death journey.

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

It implies a post-death movement through multiple lokas (realms). The verse frames specific dāna as a remedial support during this transitional journey associated with Yama’s domain.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform post-death rites with sincere charity in the spirit of dharma—supporting cows/animal welfare, feeding the needy, and giving in the departed’s name—so the intention of dāna (compassionate support and merit) is preserved even when literal ritual items are substituted.