Shloka 13
Yamamārga, Antyeṣṭi-vidhi, and Daśāhika Piṇḍa-dāna
Road to Yama and Ten-Day Offerings
गत्वा श्मशानदेशे तु प्राड्मुखश्चोत्तरामुखम् / अदग्धपूर्वा या भूमिश्चितां तत्रैव कारयेत्
gatvā śmaśānadeśe tu prāḍmukhaścottarāmukham / adagdhapūrvā yā bhūmiścitāṃ tatraiva kārayet
Having gone to the cremation ground, one should place the body with the head facing east or north, and there itself construct the funeral pyre on ground that has not previously been used for burning.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: At the śmaśāna during preparation for cremation
Concept: Antyeṣṭi must be performed with correct deśa-kāla-dik (place-time-direction) to honor saṃskāra and maintain śauca.
Vedantic Theme: Impermanence of the body (deha-anityatā) is met with disciplined action; right action (karma) becomes a vehicle for inner steadiness.
Application: Proceed to the cremation ground; place the body with head to east or north; build the pyre on ground not previously used for burning.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: cremation ground / liminal boundary space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana antyeṣṭi directions on śmaśāna selection, dik-niyama, and citā-vidhi (contextual parallel within 2.15).
FAQs
This verse prescribes that the pyre be built on earth not previously used for cremation, emphasizing ritual purity and proper performance of antyeṣṭi as a dharmic guideline.
It instructs that at the cremation ground the deceased should be positioned facing east (prāṅmukha) or north (uttarāmukha), indicating an approved ritual alignment for the final rites.
When arranging last rites, families can follow tradition by ensuring a respectful, properly designated cremation spot and observing customary orientation and procedure as per their local dharma-śāstra practice.