Shloka 22

The Explanation of the Post-funeral Rites (Aurdhvadehika) and Related Matters

Devanagari script

विप्रैर्नियमतः कार्यः समन्त्रो विधिपूर्वकः / शवस्य च समीपे तु क्षिप्यन्ते पुत्तलास्ततः

Transliteration

viprairniyamataḥ kāryaḥ samantro vidhipūrvakaḥ / śavasya ca samīpe tu kṣipyante puttalāstataḥ

Translation

Die Brāhmaṇas sollen das Ritual mit Zucht, begleitet von Mantras und nach der vorgeschriebenen Ordnung vollziehen; danach werden nahe beim Leichnam die puttalās (Effigien) niedergelegt.

Word by Word

• विप्रैः: by the brahmins
• विप्रैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

• नियमतः: according to rule; regularly
• नियमतः: Hetu/Prakāra (हेतु/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नियम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb)

• कार्यः: to be done; obligatory
• कार्यः: Vidheyāṅga (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + यत् → कार्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्त (यत्-प्रत्यय, gerundive/भाव्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• स-मन्त्रः: with mantras
• स-मन्त्रः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + स- (उपसर्ग/पूर्वपद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सः मन्त्रः यस्य/सहितः मन्त्रेण)

• विधि-पूर्वकः: in accordance with the rite
• विधि-पूर्वकः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक) + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (विधिना पूर्वकः = according to prescribed procedure)

• शवस्य: of the corpse
• शवस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• समीपे: near
• समीपे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• तु: indeed; but
• तु: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण/विरोधार्थक (but/indeed)

• क्षिप्यन्ते: are thrown/placed
• क्षिप्यन्ते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• पुत्तलाः: effigies/dolls
• पुत्तलाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (thereafter/from that)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Immediately during antyeṣṭi preparations at the corpse-side (pre-cremation arrangement)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Antyeṣṭi must be performed with mantra and proper procedure; correct placement of ritual substitutes (puttalāḥ) supports orderly passage.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as purifier and stabilizer for saṃskāra; dharma sustains ṛta in transitional moments.

Application: Ensure qualified officiants, correct mantras, and prescribed placements during last rites; maintain discipline and cleanliness around the body.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: śmaśāna/antyeṣṭi-sthāna (funerary ground or cremation site)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/Antyeṣṭi sections describing śava-samīpa rites and mantra-vidhi; Adjacent verses 2.35.23–26 on puttalaka, cremation, śānti, and dāna

Characters & Entities

• Brahmins
• Mantras
• Corpse (Shava)
• Puttalas

FAQs

What is the importance of performing death rites with niyama and mantra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that funerary rites must be done with disciplined observances and mantra-based procedure (vidhi), indicating that correctness and sanctity of the rite are essential for the intended spiritual efficacy.

How does this verse explain the immediate ritual steps taken near the body?

It specifies that after the mantra-guided rite is properly performed, certain ritual items called puttalās are placed near the corpse, highlighting the sequence and location of actions in preta-kriyā.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow a consistent, tradition-aligned procedure for last rites—performed respectfully, with qualified guidance and careful observance—rather than treating the rituals as casual or improvised.