Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

द्वादशाहे विशेषेण उदकम्भान् प्रदापयेत् / विधिना तत्र सङ्कल्पय घटान् द्वादशसंख्यकान्

Transliteration

dvādaśāhe viśeṣeṇa udakambhān pradāpayet / vidhinā tatra saṅkalpaya ghaṭān dvādaśasaṃkhyakān

Translation

Besonders beim Ritus des zwölften Tages soll man Wasserkrüge als Gabe spenden; und dort soll man nach vorgeschriebener Ordnung den Saṅkalpa für zwölf Wasserkrüge fassen, der Zahl nach zwölf.

Word by Word

• dvādaśāhe: on the twelfth day
• dvādaśāhe: Adhikarana (Time/काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvādaśāha (द्वादशाह)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• viśeṣeṇa: especially/specifically
• viśeṣeṇa: Kriya-visheshana (Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: viśeṣa (विशेष)
• Form: Instrumental used as Adverb

• udakambhān: water pots
• udakambhān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: udakakumbha (उदककुम्भ)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• pradāpayet: should cause to be given
• pradāpayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + dā (प्र + दा)
• Form: Optative (Vidhi Lin), Causative, 3rd Person, Singular

• vidhinā: according to rule/method
• vidhinā: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhi (विधि)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (तत्र)
• Form: Adverb

• saṅkalpaya: resolve / make the intention
• saṅkalpaya: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + kḷp (सम् + कृप्)
• Form: Imperative (Lot), Causative, 2nd Person, Singular

• ghaṭān: pots
• ghaṭān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghaṭa (घट)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• dvādaśasaṃkhyakān: numbering twelve
• dvādaśasaṃkhyakān: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvādaśasaṃkhyaka (द्वादशसंख्यक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: dvādaśāha (12th day after death)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vidhivat saṅkalpa and numerically prescribed offerings (twelve jars) embody ritual order; dharma is fulfilled through correct form and intention.

Vedantic Theme: Saṅkalpa as intentionality shaping karmic fruit; ritual order (niyama) as a means of aligning with dharma.

Application: On the 12th day, perform udakumbha-dāna specifically; make a formal saṅkalpa for twelve water-jars and donate accordingly.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: ritual venue

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: dvādaśāha as key preta-rite milestone; emphasis on saṅkalpa; Garuda Purana: numerological structuring of offerings (dvādaśa) in śrāddha adjuncts

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Preta
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of donating water-pots on the dvādaśāha (twelfth-day) rite in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes udaka-dāna (gift of water) on the twelfth day as a key preta-kriyā support, performed with proper saṅkalpa and in a defined count (twelve), aligning the rite with scriptural procedure.

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

In the Preta Kanda context, prescribed offerings and donations are presented as ritual supports for the departed (preta), helping complete transitional rites and ensuring the family’s actions follow dharma during the post-death period.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If observing śrāddha-related customs, perform charitable giving thoughtfully: make a clear intention (saṅkalpa), follow local orthodox guidance, and prioritize life-sustaining gifts such as water and vessels as an act of dharmic remembrance.