Shloka 33

Garuḍa’s Return to Vaikuṇṭha and the Comprehensive Inquiry into Death-Rites and the Preta’s Journey

Devanagari script

आज्येनाभ्यञ्जनं कस्मात्कुत एकाहुतिक्रिया / वसुन्धरा किमर्थं च कुतः स्त्रीशब्दकीर्तनम्

Transliteration

ājyenābhyañjanaṃ kasmātkuta ekāhutikriyā / vasundharā kimarthaṃ ca kutaḥ strīśabdakīrtanam

Translation

Why is the anointing done with ghee? Why is the rite of offering a single oblation performed? For what purpose is the Earth invoked as “Vasundharā”? And why is the word “strī” (woman) recited?

Word by Word

• आज्येन: with ghee
• आज्येन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• अभ्यञ्जनम्: anointing, unction
• अभ्यञ्जनम्: Karma/Prashna-vishaya (Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभ्यञ्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कस्मात्: from what cause? why?
• कस्मात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; प्रश्न-सर्वनाम

• कुतः: whence? why?
• कुतः: Hetu/Apadana (Cause/Source)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कुतः (अव्यय; interrogative)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय (ablatival adverb: 'from where/whence/why')

• एकाहुतिक्रिया: the one-oblation rite
• एकाहुतिक्रिया: Karta/Prashna-vishaya (Subject/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एका (संख्या/विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक) + आहुति (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (एक-आहुति-क्रिया: rite consisting of one oblation)

• वसुन्धरा: Earth (Vasundharā)
• वसुन्धरा: Karta/Prashna-vishaya (Subject/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसुन्धरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• किमर्थम्: for what purpose? why?
• किमर्थम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्ययीभाव (kim-artham = 'for what purpose/why')

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• कुतः: whence? why?
• कुतः: Hetu/Apadana (Cause/Source)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कुतः (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय (ablatival adverb)

• स्त्रीशब्दकीर्तनम्: uttering/recitation of the word 'strī'
• स्त्रीशब्दकीर्तनम्: Karma/Prashna-vishaya (Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + शब्द (प्रातिपदिक) + कीर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (स्त्री-शब्दस्य कीर्तनम्)

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra) questioning Lord Vishnu

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Antyeṣṭi sequence (abhyanga and homa components)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual acts have layered symbolic and karmic purposes; correct performance aligns the micro-rite with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma).

Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa as functional in vyavahāra; symbols guide mind toward detachment and orderly transition.

Application: When performing rites, learn the meaning behind actions to avoid mechanical ritualism and to cultivate steadiness and reverence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual ground

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: explanations of antyeṣṭi components (abhyanga, ekāhuti, bhūmi-invocation) in the same dialogue sequence (2.1.x)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Vasundhara (Earth)

FAQs

What is the importance of ghee anointing (ājya-abhyanga) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse frames it as a deliberate, meaningful step in the rite—Garuda asks its reason, implying that each funeral action (including ghee anointing) has a specific ritual purpose rather than being merely customary.

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

Indirectly: it shows that the Preta-kāṇḍa treats post-death procedures as technically significant. Garuda’s questions set up Vishnu’s explanations of how precise rites support the departed in the transitional ‘preta’ condition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform last rites thoughtfully and with correct intent—this verse emphasizes asking ‘why’ behind rites, encouraging careful, respectful observance rather than mechanical ritualism.