Shloka 75

Devanagari script

अश्राद्धार्हैरुपतैरुपहारैस्तथा कृतैः / अकाले ऽप्यथ वा देशे विधिहीनमथापि वा

Transliteration

aśrāddhārhairupatairupahāraistathā kṛtaiḥ / akāle 'pyatha vā deśe vidhihīnamathāpi vā

Translation

Offerings made with gifts unfit for Śrāddha—whether already presented or merely arranged—are likewise defective; and so too are rites performed at an improper time, in an improper place, or without the prescribed procedure.

Word by Word

• aśrāddha-arhaiḥ: by persons unfit for śrāddha
• aśrāddha-arhaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-śrāddha (प्रातिपदिक) + arha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (Masc Instr pl; by those unfit for śrāddha)

• upataiḥ: by fallen (impure) ones
• upataiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upata (कृदन्त; √pat (धातु) + उपसर्ग upa)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (PPP, Masc Instr pl; fallen/impure)

• upahāraiḥ: with offerings/gifts
• upahāraiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upahāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (Masc Instr pl)

• tathā: thus/also
• tathā: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: thus/so)

• kṛtaiḥ: done/performed
• kṛtaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ (धातु))
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त); नपुंसक/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; (done/made)

• akāle: at an improper time
• akāle: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a-kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरणम् (Loc sg; at improper time)

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (Concession/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि-प्रयोगः (concessive particle)

• atha: or/then
• atha: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/विकल्पसूचक (then/also; connective)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (Alternative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or)

• deśe: in a (wrong) place
• deśe: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरणम् (Loc sg)

• vidhi-hīnam: lacking proper procedure
• vidhi-hīnam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक) + hīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (Neuter Nom/Acc sg; devoid of prescribed rule)

• atha: or/also
• atha: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/विकल्पसूचक (then/also)

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (Concession/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि-प्रयोगः (concessive particle)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (Alternative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Proper kāla is required; akāla is a doṣa (specific tithi not named here).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Aśrāddhārha dravya, wrong time/place, and vidhi-hīnatā render śrāddha defective.

Vedantic Theme: Karma requires conformity to dharma-vidhi; form and intention together shape phala.

Application: Choose śrāddha-appropriate items, observe prescribed timing, select a clean/fit place, and follow procedure carefully.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-site (deśa) and calendrical setting (kāla)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Śrāddha-khaṇḍa style passages on kāla-deśa-doṣa (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Brahmanas

FAQs

What is the importance of proper śrāddha procedure in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that śrāddha becomes defective if the offerings are unfit or if the rite is done at the wrong time/place or without proper injunctions—implying that intention alone is not sufficient; correctness (vidhi) matters.

How does this verse relate to the journey of the soul after death?

By emphasizing valid śrāddha conditions, the verse supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that post-death rites should be performed correctly to properly support the departed and align the family’s actions with dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha or memorial rites, use appropriate (śrāddhārha) items and follow a qualified procedure with correct timing and setting, rather than improvising or treating the rite casually.