Shloka 12

Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy

Devanagari script

सर्वलोकहितार्थाय शृणु पापभयापहाम् / षण्मासं ब्राह्मणे दाहस्त्रिमासं क्षत्त्रिये मतः

Transliteration

sarvalokahitārthāya śṛṇu pāpabhayāpahām / ṣaṇmāsaṃ brāhmaṇe dāhastrimāsaṃ kṣattriye mataḥ

Translation

Zum Wohle aller Wesen höre diese Lehre, die die aus Sünde geborene Furcht vertreibt: Für einen Brāhmaṇa ist die Dauer der mit der Einäscherung verbundenen Observanz auf sechs Monate festgesetzt, für einen Kṣatriya gilt sie als drei Monate.

Word by Word

• सर्व-लोक-हित-अर्थाय: for the benefit of all people
• सर्व-लोक-हित-अर्थाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + लोक + हित + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः: सर्वलोकस्य हितार्थः = ‘for the welfare of all worlds/people’

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: Imperative/लोट्, 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada

• पाप-भय-अपहाम्: (that) which removes fear of sin
• पाप-भय-अपहाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाप + भय + अपहा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); समासः: पापभयम् अपहन्ति इति = ‘removing fear of sin’

• षण्-मासम्: six months
• षण्-मासम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षट् + मास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); द्विगु-समासः: षण्मासः = six months (duration)

• ब्राह्मणे: for a Brahmin (in the case of)
• ब्राह्मणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन) (context: ‘in the case of a Brahmin’)

• दाहः: cremation (period/rite)
• दाहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• त्रि-मासम्: three months
• त्रि-मासम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + मास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); द्विगु-समासः: त्रिमासः = three months

• क्षत्त्रिये: for a Kshatriya (in the case of)
• क्षत्त्रिये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्त्रिय/क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन) (context: ‘in the case of a Kshatriya’)

• मतः: is considered
• मतः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त) used predicatively; Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Specifies varna-based duration: Brāhmaṇa six months; Kṣatriya three months (as stated).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Varna-specific observance periods in death-rites/cremation-related impurity and expiatory discipline to remove fear of sin.

Vedantic Theme: Karma and samskara as purificatory means within vyavahara; order (dharma) supports inner peace conducive to sattva.

Application: Follow the prescribed post-death observance/cremation-related discipline according to varna and tradition, seeking purification and reduction of guilt/fear.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: shraddha/antyeshti sections on ashauca, preta-tarpaṇa, ekoddishta and sapindikarana timing (contextual parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa
• Kṣatriya

FAQs

What is the importance of varna-based funeral observances in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames such observances as dharma meant for the welfare of all and as a means to reduce pāpa-born fear, indicating that ritual discipline is treated as spiritually protective.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct antyeṣṭi (cremation-related) observance, it implies that orderly rites support the departed’s post-death transition and lessen anxiety associated with sin.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform post-death rites conscientiously and according to one’s tradition and qualified guidance, focusing on ethical living and sincere observance as a way to reduce fear and cultivate steadiness at life’s end.