Shloka 18

Pretaśilā at Gayā: Muṇḍapṛṣṭha, Gadādhara’s Manifestation, and the Fruits of Śrāddha & Deity-Worship

Devanagari script

वधबन्धविनिर्मुक्तश्चान्ते मोक्षमवाप्नुयात् / श्राद्धपिण्डादिकर्तारः पितृभिर्ब्रह्मलोकगाः

Transliteration

vadhabandhavinirmuktaścānte mokṣamavāpnuyāt / śrāddhapiṇḍādikartāraḥ pitṛbhirbrahmalokagāḥ

Translation

Freed from the bondage of violence and slaughter, one attains liberation in the end. Those who perform śrāddha, piṇḍa-offerings, and related rites go—together with the Pitṛs—to Brahmaloka.

Word by Word

• वधबन्धविनिर्मुक्तः: freed from killing and bondage
• वधबन्धविनिर्मुक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वध + बन्ध + विनिर्मुक्त (वि + निर् + मुच् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (वध-बन्धात् विनिर्मुक्तः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अन्ते: at the end
• अन्ते: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन; ‘at the end’

• मोक्षम्: liberation
• मोक्षम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• अवाप्नुयात्: may attain
• अवाप्नुयात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• श्राद्धपिण्डादिकर्तारः: performers of śrāddha and piṇḍa rites etc.
• श्राद्धपिण्डादिकर्तारः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध + पिण्ड + आदि + कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी/कर्म-तत्पुरुष (श्राद्ध-पिण्ड-आदि-कर्तारः = performers of śrāddha, piṇḍa etc.)

• पितृभिः: with the ancestors
• पितृभिः: Sahakaraka (Association/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• ब्रह्मलोकगाः: going to Brahmaloka
• ब्रह्मलोकगाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मलोक + ग (गम् धातु से निष्पन्न ‘ग’/‘ग’ प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मलोकं गच्छन्ति)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Svarga

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Śrāddha occasions (tithi-based; commonly amāvāsyā/annual death tithi)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Freedom from हिंसा-बन्ध (bondage of violence) supports final liberation; śrāddha and piṇḍa-dāna elevate Pitṛs and the performer toward Brahmaloka.

Vedantic Theme: Gradation of goals: karma-śuddhi and ahiṃsā leading toward moksha; higher lokas as intermediate, moksha as ultimate.

Application: Practice ahiṃsā and restraint; perform śrāddha with faith and correctness for ancestral welfare and one’s own purification.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic realm and ritual household/śrāddha-sthāna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: extensive Śrāddha-kalpa and piṇḍa-dāna sections describing Pitṛ-gati and benefits; Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: karma-bondage and release motifs; emphasis on non-violence and purification

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Brahmaloka

FAQs

What is the importance of śrāddha and piṇḍa-dāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that those who perform śrāddha and piṇḍa-related rites attain an exalted post-death destination—going with the Pitṛs to Brahmaloka—highlighting these rites as powerful supports for ancestral welfare and the performer’s spiritual ascent.

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

It links ethical purification (release from the bondage of violence) with the final attainment of mokṣa, and it also describes a meritorious trajectory where ritual duty toward ancestors leads to association with the Pitṛs and passage to Brahmaloka.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate ahiṃsā in conduct and livelihood, and—where culturally appropriate—perform śrāddha/piṇḍa offerings (or equivalent ancestral remembrance and charity) with faith and responsibility as part of dharma.