Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

मार्गे हि गच्छमानस्तु तृष्णार्तः श्रमपीडितः / घटान्नदानयोगेन सुखी भवति निश्चितम्

Transliteration

mārge hi gacchamānastu tṛṣṇārtaḥ śramapīḍitaḥ / ghaṭānnadānayogena sukhī bhavati niścitam

Translation

Wahrlich, wer auf dem Weg dahinschreitet—von Durst gequält und von Müdigkeit bedrängt—wird gewiss glücklich durch das verdienstvolle Spenden von Speise und Wasser (in einem Gefäß dargebracht).

Word by Word

• मार्गे: on the path
• मार्गे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ

• गच्छमानः: going
• गच्छमानः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गम् (धातु) → गच्छत् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगः

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थ

• तृष्णार्तः: afflicted by thirst
• तृष्णार्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तृष्णा + आर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषभावः (तृष्णया आर्तः)

• श्रमपीडितः: tormented by fatigue
• श्रमपीडितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रम + पीडित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (श्रमेन पीडितः)

• घटान्नदानयोगेन: by the practice/means of giving pots and food
• घटान्नदानयोगेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घट + अन्न + दान + योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; समासः (घट-अन्न-दानस्य योगः) करणवाचकः

• सुखी: happy/at ease
• सुखी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुखिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (गच्छमानस्य)

• भवति: becomes
• भवति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• निश्चितम्: certainly
• निश्चितम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: निश्चित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (adverbial accusative)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-adjacent charity (implied)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Donation of food and water (especially water in a pot) yields sukha to the traveler-soul on the post-mortem path.

Vedantic Theme: Karma’s subtle continuity: embodied-like needs are mirrored in the subtle journey; compassionate acts generate supportive conditions.

Application: Offer anna-dāna and jala-dāna (including ghaṭa-dāna/water-pot donation) as śrāddha-linked charity and as ongoing social service.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: path/route

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: lists of dānas (jala/anna/ghaṭa) and their specific post-death benefits; Garuda Purana: yamamārga hardships (heat, thirst, fatigue) mitigated by merit

Characters & Entities

• Preta

FAQs

What is the importance of donating food and water (ghaṭa-dāna/anna-dāna) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that the merit of donating food and water directly becomes comfort and happiness for the traveler on the post-death path, relieving thirst and exhaustion.

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

It depicts the journey as physically taxing for the preta—marked by thirst and fatigue—and teaches that ritual charity (dāna), especially food and water, provides tangible relief during this passage.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform anna-dāna and water charity—especially in memory of the departed—supporting the needy while aligning with Garuda Purana’s guidance on śrāddha-related merits.