Shloka 43
Garuḍa’s Return to Vaikuṇṭha and the Comprehensive Inquiry into Death-Rites and the Preta’s Journey
तैलोद्वर्तनकं चापि दधुः स्थूलजलाशये / दशमे ऽहनि यत्पिण्डं तद्दद्या दामिषेण तु
tailodvartanakaṃ cāpi dadhuḥ sthūlajalāśaye / daśame 'hani yatpiṇḍaṃ taddadyā dāmiṣeṇa tu
They also perform the oil-rubbing and place curd (dadhi) in a broad reservoir of water. And the piṇḍa to be offered on the tenth day should be offered with meat as its accompaniment.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Tenth day piṇḍa offering (daśame’ hani) with specified accompaniments.
Concept: Specific upacāras in preta-related rites: substances (oil, curd, meat) are prescribed as materially efficacious supports within the ritual economy of karma-phala.
Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-based ritual substances operating in vyavahāra; the tradition’s pragmatic symbolism (cooling, grounding, nourishment) without claiming ultimate liberation.
Application: If following this tradition, adhere to prescribed substances per one’s śākhā/ācāra; where non-violence norms prevail, seek sanctioned substitutions (anukalpa) from dharma authorities.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: ritual bathing place
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: lists of piṇḍa materials and day-wise offerings; Garuda Purana: discussions of anukalpa (substitutes) in rites in some recensions/traditions
FAQs
This verse marks the tenth day as a specific and mandated time for a distinct piṇḍa offering, indicating that day-wise offerings are prescribed and not interchangeable in the preta-rite sequence.
By prescribing concrete preta-kriyā actions (massage, water/curd placement, and a timed piṇḍa), the text implies that the departed’s post-death condition is supported by ritual provisions made by the living during the transitional preta period.
Follow day-specific śrāddha/preta-rite instructions as per one’s tradition and family ācāra, and consult qualified priests for correct procedure—especially for timed offerings like the tenth-day piṇḍa.