Shloka 77

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

Devanagari script

भृङ्गारकरकादर्शं पञ्चवर्णं वितानकम् / शय्यामेवंविधां कृत्वा ब्राह्मणाय निवेदयेत्

Transliteration

bhṛṅgārakarakādarśaṃ pañcavarṇaṃ vitānakam / śayyāmevaṃvidhāṃ kṛtvā brāhmaṇāya nivedayet

Translation

Nachdem man ein solches Lager bereitet hat—mitsamt Wasserkrug, Becher (Gefäß) und Spiegel sowie einem Baldachin in fünf Farben—soll man es einem Brahmanen darbringen (spenden).

Word by Word

• bhṛṅgāram: ewer
• bhṛṅgāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhṛṅgāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; ewer/pitcher

• karakam: water-pot
• karakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; water-pot

• ādarśam: mirror
• ādarśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ādarśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; mirror

• pañca-varṇam: five-colored
• pañca-varṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañca (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; dvigu: ‘five-colored’ qualifying vitānakam

• vitānakam: canopy
• vitānakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vitānaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; canopy

• śayyām: bed
• śayyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śayyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• evaṃ-vidhām: of such a kind
• evaṃ-vidhām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: evaṃ (अव्यय) + vidha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; tatpuruṣa: ‘of such a kind’ qualifying śayyām

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), ‘having made/done’

• brāhmaṇāya: to a Brahmin
• brāhmaṇāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th), Singular; recipient

• nivedayet: should offer
• nivedayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√vid (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular; causative (णिच्) sense ‘should offer/present’

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Culmination of śayyā-dāna sequence (after preparation)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual action reaches fruition through proper completion and rightful donation; the recipient (brāhmaṇa) functions as the dharmic conduit for merit-transfer in śrāddha contexts.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala is shaped by saṅkalpa, vidhi, and dāna; giving loosens possessiveness (mamatā) and purifies the mind toward sattva.

Application: Complete rites carefully (including symbolic completeness like pañcavarṇa canopy), then perform dāna respectfully to an appropriate recipient; document/remember the intention for the departed.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-space culminating in dāna to brāhmaṇa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34: śayyā-dāna culmination in brāhmaṇa-dāna; Garuda Purana śrāddha: importance of proper recipient and completion (general)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana

FAQs

What is the importance of śayyā-dāna (donation of a bed) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes śayyā-dāna as a dharmic charity connected with funerary merit: a properly arranged bed with associated items is to be donated to a Brahmin as part of prescribed giving.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and post-death rites?

In the Preta Kanda context, the text outlines specific donations (dāna) performed alongside śrāddha-related duties; the verse details the exact articles to accompany the bed-offering, emphasizing ritual completeness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform charity with intention and completeness—supporting learned or priestly custodians of rites and serving community needs—while keeping the spirit of dharma and remembrance central.