Shloka 7
The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body
प्रत्यहञ्च प्रदातव्यं मार्गे सुविषमे नरैः / यावत् संवत्सरं वापि प्रेतस्य सुखलिप्सया
pratyahañca pradātavyaṃ mārge suviṣame naraiḥ / yāvat saṃvatsaraṃ vāpi pretasya sukhalipsayā
Auf dem überaus beschwerlichen Weg (des Verstorbenen) sollen die Menschen täglich Opfergaben darbringen—ja, sogar ein volles Jahr lang—aus dem Wunsch, dem Preta, dem jüngst Entschlafenen, Trost zu verschaffen.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Daily, up to one full year after death (preta-kāla)
Concept: Sustained daily offerings for up to a year generate supportive merit that alleviates the preta’s hardship on the difficult path.
Vedantic Theme: Interdependence within dharma: the living discharge ṛṇa (debts) to ancestors; compassionate karma shapes subtle outcomes beyond death.
Application: Maintain a daily offering regimen (lamp/water/food/charity as prescribed) through the preta-year, dedicating merit to the departed with consistent sankalpa.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: liminal path
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: preta’s year-long transitional state and the efficacy of offerings; Garuda Purana: descriptions of the difficult path and supports provided by śrāddha/dāna
FAQs
This verse states that because the preta’s journey is extremely difficult, the living should give offerings daily—up to a year—to help provide the departed comfort and support.
It characterizes the post-death route as “su-viṣama” (highly arduous), implying the departed benefits from sustained ritual support (dāna/śrāddha-type offerings) during the interim preta state.
Perform the prescribed post-death rites with consistency—especially regular charity/offerings in the early period after death—while cultivating responsibility and compassion toward ancestors and family duties.