Shloka 13

The Destiny of Those Who Die Through Fasting & the Procedure of Udakumbha-dāna

Devanagari script

जलपात्राणि वृद्धानि दत्तानिघटकानि च / एका वै वर्धनी तत्र तस्यां पात्रन्तु वंशजम्

Transliteration

jalapātrāṇi vṛddhāni dattānighaṭakāni ca / ekā vai vardhanī tatra tasyāṃ pātrantu vaṃśajam

Translation

Auch alte Wassergefäße und gespendete Töpfe sollen dargebracht werden. Unter ihnen gibt es ein Gefäß namens „vardhanī“; in diesem Gefäß soll man einen geeigneten Empfänger aus der eigenen Linie bedenken (das heißt: die Gabe im Hinblick auf den rechtmäßigen Begünstigten der Familie darbringen).

Word by Word

• jalapātrāṇi: water vessels
• jalapātrāṇi: Karma (Object - Passive context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jalapātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• vṛddhāni: large / increased
• vṛddhāni: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vṛddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• dattāni: given
• dattāni: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dā (दा)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (Past Participle)

• ghaṭakāni: small pots
• ghaṭakāni: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghaṭaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च)
• Form: Conjunction

• ekā: one
• ekā: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vai: indeed/verily
• vai: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (वै)
• Form: Particle

• vardhanī: Vardhani (specific water jar)
• vardhanī: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vardhanī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tatra: there / in that context
• tatra: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (तद्)
• Form: Adverb

• tasyām: in that (Vardhani)
• tasyām: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद्)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• pātram: vessel/cup
• pātram: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tu: but/and
• tu: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (तु)
• Form: Conjunction

• vaṃśajam: made of bamboo
• vaṃśajam: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaṃśaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within the ongoing preta-śrāddha observances where utensils and offerings are specified

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Use appropriate vessels (including old water pots and donated ghatas); a specific vessel (vardhanī) is singled out, with emphasis on rightful lineage-related beneficiary/recipient alignment.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as right order in means and ends; saṃbandha (proper relation) as a condition for ritual fruit.

Application: Select clean, appropriate utensils; ensure offerings are directed with correct beneficiary intention (lineage/eligibility), avoiding ritual mismatch.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household ritual logistics (vessels/utensils)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: detailed śrāddha paraphernalia lists; rules about पात्र (worthy recipient) and saṃbandha in rites

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of donating water-vessels (jalapātra/ghaṭa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames water-vessel donation as a concrete śrāddha-related dāna that supports the preta/pitṛ journey, emphasizing simple, practical gifts tied to sustenance and ritual continuity.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in Preta Kanda?

In Preta Kanda, offerings and dāna are presented as aids for the departed; specifying vessels and a proper ‘pātra’ reflects the idea that correct ritual support (right item, right recipient) strengthens the intended post-death benefit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha or memorial charity, give useful essentials (like water containers) thoughtfully and to a genuinely suitable recipient, keeping the act aligned with duty, sincerity, and family remembrance.