Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

अन्धकारे महाघोरे अमूर्ते लक्ष्यवर्जिते / उद्द्योतेनैव ते यान्ति दीपदानेन मानवाः

Transliteration

andhakāre mahāghore amūrte lakṣyavarjite / uddyotenaiva te yānti dīpadānena mānavāḥ

Translation

In der furchtbaren Finsternis — gestaltlos und ohne sichtbares Zeichen — schreiten die Menschen allein durch Licht voran, dank der Gabe einer Lampe (dīpa-dāna).

Word by Word

• अन्धकारे: in darkness
• अन्धकारे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्धकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• महाघोरे: very terrible
• महाघोरे: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् घोरः) — अन्धकारस्य विशेषणम्

• अमूर्ते: formless
• अमूर्ते: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ (उपसर्ग/नञ्) + मूर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; नञ्-समासार्थ (formless) — अन्धकारस्य विशेषणम्

• लक्ष्यवर्जिते: devoid of any mark/visibility
• लक्ष्यवर्जिते: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्जित (कृदन्त; √वृज्/वर्ज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘वर्जित’; तत्पुरुषः (लक्ष्येन वर्जितः) — अन्धकारस्य विशेषणम्

• उद्द्योतेन: by illumination/light
• उद्द्योतेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद् + द्योत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• एव: only/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (restrictive particle)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• यान्ति: go
• यान्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• दीपदानेन: by the gift of a lamp
• दीपदानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (दीपस्य दानम्)

• मानवाः: humans/people
• मानवाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

Speaker

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

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dīpa-dāna yields guiding light in the post-mortem darkness; compassionate giving becomes literal/psychic illumination.

Vedantic Theme: Light as symbol of knowledge and auspiciousness; karma’s subtle fruit manifests as clarity and direction amid avidyā-like darkness.

Application: Offer lamps in temples and public spaces; support lighting for roads/homes; dedicate dīpa-dāna in remembrance of the departed and for removing fear/ignorance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: liminal passage

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: repeated imagery of darkness and fear on the soul’s route, relieved by merit; Garuda Purana dāna sections: dīpa-dāna praised for removing darkness and granting auspicious vision

Characters & Entities

• Pretas
• Yama

FAQs

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

This verse states that in the fearful, landmark-less darkness of the post-death passage, the departed can move forward through illumination; dīpa-dāna is taught as a meritorious act that provides that guiding light.

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

It depicts the route as “formless” and without recognizable signs, implying disorientation for the preta; symbolic and ritual light (dīpa) becomes the aid by which the departed is able to proceed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform lamp-offering with śraddhā during śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related observances, and cultivate a life that “gives light” to others—clarity, guidance, and dharmic support—mirroring the verse’s principle.