Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवाद्यञ्च तथान्यच्छ्राद्धपञ्चकम् / एवं षोडशकं प्राहुरेतत् तत्त्वविदो जनाः

Transliteration

brahmaviṣṇuśivādyañca tathānyacchrāddhapañcakam / evaṃ ṣoḍaśakaṃ prāhuretat tattvavido janāḥ

Translation

Die Reihe, die mit (den Darbringungen an) Brahmā, Viṣṇu und Śiva beginnt, zusammen mit den weiteren fünf Śrāddha-Riten — so erklären die Wahrheitskundigen Weisen dies als das vollständige „Set der Sechzehn“.

Word by Word

• brahma-viṣṇu-śiva-ādyam: (rites) beginning with Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva
• brahma-viṣṇu-śiva-ādyam: Karma (कर्म)/Vishaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (ब्रह्मन्) + viṣṇu (विष्णु) + śiva (शिव) + ādi (आदि)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः (ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च शिवश्च आदयश्च)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• tathā: also
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (also/likewise)

• anyat: other
• anyat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (अन्य प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• śrāddha-pañcakam: a set of five śrāddhas
• śrāddha-pañcakam: Karma (कर्म)/Vishaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrāddha (श्राद्ध) + pañcaka (पञ्चक प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (श्राद्धानां पञ्चकम्)

• evam: thus
• evam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारार्थक-अव्यय (thus)

• ṣoḍaśakam: the set of sixteen
• ṣoḍaśakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣoḍaśaka (षोडशक प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• prāhuḥ: they have said / they declare
• prāhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra+ah (प्र+अह्/आह् धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etat (एतद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• tattva-vidaḥ: knowers of truth
• tattva-vidaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tattva (तत्त्व) + vid (विद् धातु/विद्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (तत्त्वं वेत्ति इति)

• janāḥ: people
• janāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana (जन प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: As part of the complete ṣoḍaśaka framework (including devatā-oriented śrāddhas) within the broader post-death/ancestral observance cycle.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śrāddha integrates deva-tarpaṇa and pitṛ-support: offerings to Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva and the remaining pañcaka complete the sixteenfold system recognized by the wise.

Vedantic Theme: Unity-in-diversity: multiple devatā forms within one dharmic framework; ritual as a means to harmonize cosmic functions while cultivating sattva and devotion.

Application: When performing śrāddha, include the prescribed devatā-oriented components (Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva etc.) as taught in one’s śākhā/tradition, ensuring the set is complete rather than partial.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha-kalpa: devatā-śrāddha components and completion of ṣoḍaśaka; Garuda Purana: emphasis on Viṣṇu as ultimate refuge even within multi-deity ritual framing

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Shiva
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of the ‘ṣoḍaśaka’ (set of sixteen) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames certain Śrāddha components—starting with offerings connected to Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva plus a fivefold Śrāddha group—as a complete sixteenfold set, indicating an established, authoritative structure for ancestral rites.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s post-death journey described in the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda context, Śrāddha rites are presented as supportive acts performed by the living; by defining a complete ritual set, the text underscores orderly observances believed to aid the departed and fulfill Pitṛ-related obligations.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow Śrāddha with clarity and completeness—consult tradition/priests for the recognized components—while maintaining faith (śraddhā) and ethical living, since the text treats proper ritual order as part of dharma toward ancestors.