Shloka 96

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

Devanagari script

प्रेतस्य प्रतिमा ह्येषा सर्वोपकरणैर्युता / सर्वरत्नसमायुक्ता तव विप्रनिवेदिता

Transliteration

pretasya pratimā hyeṣā sarvopakaraṇairyutā / sarvaratnasamāyuktā tava vipraniveditā

Translation

„Dies ist wahrlich das Abbild des dahingegangenen Geistes (Preta), versehen mit allen erforderlichen Utensilien und geschmückt mit allerlei Edelsteinen; es ist dir durch einen Brāhmaṇa dargebracht worden.“

Word by Word

• pretasya: of the departed (spirit)
• pretasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: preta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• pratimā: image, effigy
• pratimā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratimā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya—particle (निपात), emphasis/indeed

• eṣā: this
• eṣā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• sarva-upakaraṇaiḥ: with all implements/accessories
• sarva-upakaraṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + upakaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• yutā: endowed, furnished
• yutā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yuta (कृदन्त; √yuj)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); 'प्रतीमा/एषा' इत्यस्य विशेषण

• sarva-ratna-samāyuktā: fully adorned with all jewels
• sarva-ratna-samāyuktā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + ratna + samāyukta (कृदन्त; √yuj)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); 'एषा' इत्यस्य विशेषण

• tava: to you/your
• tava: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• vipra-niveditā: presented/offered by the brāhmaṇa
• vipra-niveditā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vipra + nivedita (कृदन्त; √vid/√nī-vid)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); 'एषा' इत्यस्य विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vainateya, within the Preta Kanda framework)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During preta-related offering/dāna sequence following preliminary worship and before/with formal declaration.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Karmic support through ritual proxy: furnishing the preta’s representative with requisites and jewels, then offering through a brāhmaṇa as a sanctioned conduit.

Vedantic Theme: Subtle continuity of saṃskāra and obligation beyond death; dharmic action (dāna/arpana) as a means to relieve transitional suffering and reorder bonds.

Application: When performing preta-related rites, prepare the representative offering completely (upakara, ratna, necessities) and formally hand it over via a brāhmaṇa with explicit declaration.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space with effigy (pratimā) and offering articles

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34.95 (mantra recitation context); Garuda Purana 2.34.97 (self/deity identification; bed-gift)

Characters & Entities

• Pretas
• Vipra (Brahmin)

FAQs

What is the importance of a preta pratimā (effigy) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse frames the pratimā as a ritual representative of the departed, formally equipped with requisite items and offered via a vipra, indicating a sanctioned method of transferring ritual support/merit to the deceased.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death in the Garuda Purana context?

By emphasizing offerings made for the preta through proper rites, it implies that post-death welfare is aided by structured rituals performed by the living, especially through authorized intermediaries (vipras).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform remembrance and śrāddha-related duties with sincerity and proper procedure—supporting family dharma, charity, and respectful ritual conduct—rather than treating death rites as mere formality.