Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

यमुद्दिश्य ददात्यन्नं तेन चाप्यायितो भवेत्

Transliteration

yamuddiśya dadātyannaṃ tena cāpyāyito bhavet

Translation

Wenn man Speise darbringt, Yama vor Augen, wird Yama dadurch genährt und zufriedengestellt.

Word by Word

• यम्: whom
• यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• उद्दिश्य: intending (for)
• उद्दिश्य: Kriya-Visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उद् + दिश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/अव्ययकृदन्त) — ‘having intended/aiming at’

• ददाति: gives
• ददाति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• अन्नम्: food
• अन्नम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• तेन: by that/thereby
• तेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

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

• अप्यायितः: is nourished/satisfied
• अप्यायितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपि + आ + या (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) — ‘nourished/satisfied’

• भवेत्: would become
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Saṅkalpa (intention) directs the subtle recipient of an offering; offerings aimed at Yama are said to satisfy him.

Vedantic Theme: Adhiṣṭhāna-devatā and saṅkalpa-śakti: ritual intention channels karma within the devatā-mediated cosmos.

Application: When performing charity/offerings connected to death rites, maintain clear intention and respectful acknowledgment of dharma (ethical accountability).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: deity-court (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated emphasis that saṅkalpa and uddiśya (intended recipient) determine the fruit of offerings; Pretakalpa: Yama as dharma-rāja who governs the soul’s journey

Characters & Entities

• Yama

FAQs

What is the importance of offering food to Yama in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that food offered with Yama as the intended recipient is considered to reach him, expressing ritual acknowledgment of Yama’s role in the post-death order and seeking orderly passage for the departed.

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

By highlighting dedication (uddiśya) in offerings, it reflects the Garuda Purana’s ritual framework where specific deities connected to the afterlife—here Yama—are propitiated to support the deceased’s transition and adjudication.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform charity or food-offering with clear intention and ethical sincerity—especially during śrāddha or memorial observances—recognizing duty (dharma) and cultivating reverence for moral accountability.