Shloka 142

Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules

Devanagari script

प्रेतीभूतास्तु पितरो लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः / भ्रमन्ति वायुना सर्वे क्षुत्तृड्भ्यां परिपीडिताः

Transliteration

pretībhūtāstu pitaro luptapiṇḍodakakriyāḥ / bhramanti vāyunā sarve kṣuttṛḍbhyāṃ paripīḍitāḥ

Translation

Doch die Ahnen, die zu pretas geworden sind, wenn die Handlungen von piṇḍa und Wasseropfer unterbleiben, irren sie alle umher, vom Wind getrieben, gequält von Hunger und Durst.

Word by Word

• प्रेतीभूताः: having become pretas (departed spirits)
• प्रेतीभूताः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रेत + भू (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (प्रेतीभूताः = प्रेतत्वं प्राप्ताः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; adjective to ‘पितरः’

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (adversative/emphatic particle)

• पितरः: the ancestors
• पितरः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः: whose piṇḍa-and-water rites are lapsed
• लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लुप्त + पिण्ड + उदक + क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (पिण्डोदकक्रियाः लुप्ताः येषाम्—elliptic possessive usage); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; adjective to ‘पितरः’

• भ्रमन्ति: wander
• भ्रमन्ति: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भ्रम् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• वायुना: by/with the wind
• वायुना: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; adjective to ‘पितरः’

• क्षुत्तृड्भ्याम्: by hunger and thirst
• क्षुत्तृड्भ्याम्: करण (Instrument/Cause/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षुत् + तृष्/तृड् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (क्षुत् च तृड् च); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन; Instrumental dual

• परिपीडिताः: afflicted/tormented
• परिपीडिताः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि + पीड् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; adjective to ‘पितरः’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Neglect of piṇḍa and water offerings leaves the departed in preta-state, experiencing deprivation and restless wandering.

Vedantic Theme: Karma and saṃskāra as shaping post-mortem experience; ritual support as a dharmic bridge for the jīva’s transition.

Application: Do not omit śrāddha essentials (piṇḍa and udaka/tarpaṇa); if missed, perform remedial rites and ongoing annual observances.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: liminal-wandering-space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Preta-kalpa descriptions of preta wandering and relief through piṇḍa/udaka; Verses on piṇḍa-dāna efficacy and preta’s acquisition of a subtle body through offerings

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Pretas

FAQs

What is the importance of piṇḍa and udaka rites in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that when piṇḍa (food offering) and udaka (water libation) rites are omitted, the departed forefathers remain in a preta-like condition and suffer hunger and thirst, indicating the rites are meant to relieve and support them in the post-death state.

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

It describes a restless intermediate condition (preta-bhāva) where the departed wander, wind-driven and distressed, implying that proper ancestral rites help stabilize the post-death journey and reduce suffering.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain timely śrāddha, tarpaṇa, and piṇḍa-dāna according to one’s tradition and capacity; at minimum, cultivate remembrance, gratitude, and responsible family duty toward ancestors and the deceased.