Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

ध्यानधारणसंयुक्तो जानुभ्यामवनिं गतः / दातव्यं सर्वविप्रेभ्यो वेदशास्त्रविधानतः

Transliteration

dhyānadhāraṇasaṃyukto jānubhyāmavaniṃ gataḥ / dātavyaṃ sarvaviprebhyo vedaśāstravidhānataḥ

Translation

In Meditation und fester Sammlung, auf der Erde kniend, soll man die (vorgeschriebenen) Gaben allen geeigneten Brahmanen geben, gemäß den Anordnungen der Veden und Śāstras.

Word by Word

• ध्यानधारणसंयुक्तः: joined with meditation and concentration
• ध्यानधारणसंयुक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ध्यान (प्रातिपदिक) + धारण (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक; √युज् धातु + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः—‘ध्यानधारणेन/ध्यानधारणयोः संयुक्तः’

• जानुभ्याम्: with (his) two knees
• जानुभ्याम्: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), द्विवचन; Instrumental dual

• अवनिम्: the ground
• अवनिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• गतः: having gone (down)
• गतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गम् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त) → गत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि (past participle)

• दातव्यम्: is to be given
• दातव्यम्: Vidhi (विधि/आदेश)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दा (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृदन्त) → दातव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive/obligatory)

• सर्वविप्रेभ्यः: to all brāhmaṇas
• सर्वविप्रेभ्यः: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th), बहुवचन; Dative plural; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थः—‘सर्वेभ्यः विप्रेभ्यः’

• वेदशास्त्रविधानतः: according to Vedic and śāstric injunction
• वेदशास्त्रविधानतः: Hetu/Pramāṇa (हेतु/प्रमाण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + विधान (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (अव्ययीभाव-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्/तस्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) ‘-तः’; ‘वेदशास्त्रविधानात्’ = according to the injunction of Veda and Śāstra

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Dāna phase of śrāddha (after saṅkalpa and offerings)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śrāddha-giving must be performed with meditative composure and correct posture, and distributed to qualified brāhmaṇas according to Veda and Śāstra.

Vedantic Theme: Integration of inner discipline (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi) with outer action (karma): right attitude sanctifies ritual duty.

Application: Before giving, steady the mind; adopt respectful posture; follow authoritative procedure; prioritize qualified recipients over convenience.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: ritual seat/ground before recipients

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha chapters emphasizing śuddhi (purity), saṅkalpa, and brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Vipras (Brahmins)
• Vedas
• Shastras

FAQs

What is the importance of dana (charitable giving) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse frames dana as a disciplined, reverential act—done with meditation and in a prescribed posture—indicating that correct intent and scriptural method are essential in preta-related rites.

How does this verse guide the ritual attitude during offerings for the departed?

It instructs the performer to be steady in dhyāna and dhāraṇā and to kneel on the ground, emphasizing humility and inner focus while following Vedic-Śāstric rules.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When giving charity—especially in memorial or śrāddha contexts—do so calmly and respectfully, prioritizing qualified recipients and aligning the act with authentic scriptural/ethical guidelines.