Shloka 57
Yamamārga, Antyeṣṭi-vidhi, and Daśāhika Piṇḍa-dāna
Road to Yama and Ten-Day Offerings
केचिद्दुग्धेन सिञ्चन्ति चितास्थानं खगेश्वर / अश्रुपातं न कुर्वीत दद्यादस्मै जलाञ्जलीन्
keciddugdhena siñcanti citāsthānaṃ khageśvara / aśrupātaṃ na kurvīta dadyādasmai jalāñjalīn
Some people sprinkle the place of the funeral pyre with milk, O Lord of Birds. One should not let tears fall there; instead, one should offer water-libations (añjalifuls of water) for the departed.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: At the pyre-site during/after cremation rites
Concept: Grief is to be transformed into rite: avoid tear-fall at the pyre-site; offer water-libations for the departed.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as compassionate order: channeling emotion into prescribed action that supports the jīva’s transition.
Application: At the cremation site, maintain composure; perform añjali-jala offerings for the deceased rather than uncontrolled weeping.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cremation ground/pyre-site
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.15.58 (tears as preta’s forced food); Garuda Purana 2.15.59 (milk/water offerings for three days)
FAQs
This verse emphasizes replacing uncontrolled grief with a prescribed rite—offering water to the departed—presented as the proper support and remembrance at the cremation site.
In this instruction, the cremation ground is treated as a ritual space where disciplined conduct is preferred; the text directs the mourner toward dharmic action (water offerings) rather than emotional outpouring during the rite.
During funerals, maintain composure as far as possible, follow the family’s rites (such as water offerings), and channel grief into respectful, structured remembrance and duty.