Shloka 87
Yamamārga, Antyeṣṭi-vidhi, and Daśāhika Piṇḍa-dāna
Road to Yama and Ten-Day Offerings
न तत्प्राप्य प्रदत्तं हि याचकेभ्यः स्वकं धनम् / पराधीनं तदभवदिति ब्रूते (रौति) सगद्गदः
na tatprāpya pradattaṃ hi yācakebhyaḥ svakaṃ dhanam / parādhīnaṃ tadabhavaditi brūte (rauti) sagadgadaḥ
Not obtaining that, he laments: “Indeed, I did not give my own wealth to those who begged; now that very wealth has become subject to others.” Saying so, he speaks—or wails—with a choked, trembling voice.
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra in Preta Kanda context)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Wealth hoarded and not given in charity becomes useless to the soul and inevitably passes under others’ control.
Vedantic Theme: Anityatā of artha (impermanence of possessions) and the necessity of converting resources into puṇya through dāna.
Application: Practice timely generosity; treat wealth as stewardship—allocate a portion for charity and sacred duties while alive.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: repeated laments of the preta about ungiven wealth and neglected dharma (common refrain across preta-dialogues)
FAQs
This verse shows the post-death regret of one who failed to give wealth to supplicants; after death, wealth passes under others’ control, while the missed opportunity for merit remains a cause of suffering and lamentation.
It depicts a departed being (preta-context) mentally replaying neglected duties—especially charity—expressing grief and helplessness because worldly possessions no longer remain under one’s agency.
Practice timely charity and righteous giving while alive—especially to genuine need—so wealth becomes a means of dharma and merit rather than a source of regret when it inevitably leaves one’s control.