Shloka 22
Akalamṛtyu-kāraṇa and Bāla Antyeṣṭi: Age-graded Funeral Rites, Śrāddha Types, and Sonship Duties
कर्तव्यं च खगश्रेष्ठ व्रतात्प्राक् प्रेततृप्तये / यदा नक्रियते सर्वं मुद्गलत्वं स गच्छति
kartavyaṃ ca khagaśreṣṭha vratātprāk pretatṛptaye / yadā nakriyate sarvaṃ mudgalatvaṃ sa gacchati
O best of birds (khaga-śreṣṭha), before undertaking a vrata, one should do what is required for the satisfaction of the preta, the departed spirit. When all this is not done, one falls into the state called mudgalatva, a degraded and obstructed condition.
Lord Vishnu
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Before commencing a vrata (pre-vrata prerequisite).
Concept: One must prioritize duties to the departed (preta-tṛpti) before commencing vratas; neglect leads to an obstructed/degraded condition termed mudgalatva.
Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra (fitness) for vrata depends on fulfilling prior obligations; unresolved ṛṇa and saṃskāra-doṣa create inner/outer obstacles.
Application: Before starting major vows/fasts/observances, verify that pending śrāddha/preta-kriyā duties are completed; consult tradition for remediation if missed.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.25: warnings about omission of preta-kriyā and resulting doṣa states; Garuda Purana: sections describing obstacles from neglected śrāddha and remedies (prāyaścitta/dāna)
FAQs
This verse states that duties aimed at the preta’s satisfaction should be done first; neglecting them is treated as a serious ritual lapse with harmful consequences for the doer.
By emphasizing preta-tṛpti, it implies the departed remains in a condition needing support through prescribed rites; failure to perform them disrupts the proper post-death order and burdens the living with negative outcomes.
Prioritize essential ancestral/departed rites (as per one’s tradition) before optional vows and religious undertakings, and treat responsibilities toward family lineage and the departed as part of dharma.