Shloka 36

Devanagari script

पिशाचा राक्षसा यक्षा ये चान्ये दिशि वासिनः / तस्य होतव्यदेहस्यनैवायोग्यत्वकारकाः

Transliteration

piśācā rākṣasā yakṣā ye cānye diśi vāsinaḥ / tasya hotavyadehasyanaivāyogyatvakārakāḥ

Translation

Piśācas, Rākṣasas, Yakṣas, and other beings dwelling in the quarters do not in any way render unfit the body that is to be offered in the funeral rite.

Word by Word

• पिशाचाः: piśācas (ghouls)
• पिशाचाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिशाच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• राक्षसाः: rākṣasas (demons)
• राक्षसाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• यक्षाः: yakṣas
• यक्षाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• ये: who/which
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative pronoun)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• अन्ये: others
• अन्ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• दिशि: in a direction/region
• दिशि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• वासिनः: dwellers/residents
• वासिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस् (धातु) + इन् (कृत्-प्रत्यय) → वासिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त-कर्तरि (present agent noun: ‘dweller’)

• तस्य: of that (person)
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• होतव्यदेहस्य: of the body fit/required to be offered (in oblation)
• होतव्यदेहस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: होतव्य (√हु धातु, कृत्य-प्रत्यय; ‘to be offered’) + देह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (होतव्यस्य देहः)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-निपात (emphatic particle)

• अयोग्यत्वकारकाः: causers of unfitness/invalidity
• अयोग्यत्वकारकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयोग्यत्व (अयोग्य + त्व) + कारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (अयोग्यत्वस्य कारकाः = ‘causers of unfitness’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During antyeṣṭi preparations—when the body is designated as ‘hotavya’ (fit to be offered)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual eligibility (yogyatā) of the offered body is not negated by the presence or mention of piśāca-rākṣasa-yakṣa beings.

Vedantic Theme: Adhyāropa-apavāda style reassurance: external fear-objects do not touch the essential rite when performed per vidhi; dharma as stabilizer of mind.

Application: Proceed with funeral rites without fear of ‘contamination by spirits’; maintain correct procedure and protective observances rather than panic-driven alterations.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic-directions

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana, Preta-kalpa: discussions on piṇḍa, śava-yogyatā, and preta-avasthā around 2.15.37–40; Garuda Purana: sections describing bhūta-preta obstacles and their pacification in antyeṣṭi context (general)

Characters & Entities

• Piśācas
• Rākṣasas
• Yakṣas

FAQs

What is the importance of hotavya-deha (the body meant to be offered) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that the funeral offering is a dharmic obligation and that the body designated for antyeṣṭi remains ritually valid despite the presence of fearsome subtle beings nearby.

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

By removing anxiety about external spirits “spoiling” the rite, the verse supports the idea that completing proper last rites helps ensure the deceased proceeds in the post-death journey without avoidable ritual obstacles.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform last rites with steadiness and correct procedure rather than fear of unseen entities; focus on prescribed rites, prayer, and disciplined conduct for the deceased’s welfare.