Shloka 90

An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body

Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā

Devanagari script

आदौ तु प्रणवं कृत्वा पूजादाने ततः स्मृते / समभ्यर्च्य हृषीकेशं पुष्पधूपादिभिस्ततः

Transliteration

ādau tu praṇavaṃ kṛtvā pūjādāne tataḥ smṛte / samabhyarcya hṛṣīkeśaṃ puṣpadhūpādibhistataḥ

Translation

First one should utter the Praṇava, “Oṁ”. Then, as prescribed for worship and charitable offering, one should duly honor Hṛṣīkeśa (Viṣṇu), worshipping Him thereafter with flowers, incense, and similar offerings.

Word by Word

• ādau: at first
• ādau: Kriya-vishesana (Temporal/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-एकवचनरूपेण अव्ययीभूत (locative used adverbially)

• tu: indeed/then
• tu: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोधार्थक-निपात

• praṇavam: the praṇava (Oṃ)
• praṇavam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• kṛtvā: having done/made
• kṛtvā: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• pūjā-dāne: in worship and giving (charity)
• pūjā-dāne: Adhikarana (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūjā (प्रातिपदिक) + dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्व), सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• tataḥ: thereafter
• tataḥ: Kriya-vishesana (Sequential/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/अनन्तर-वाचक (then/thereafter)

• smṛte: when prescribed/remembered
• smṛte: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √smṛ (धातु) → smṛta (कृदन्त)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle); ‘when remembered/when it is prescribed’ (locative absolute sense)

• samabhyarcya: having duly worshipped
• samabhyarcya: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam-abhi-√arc (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• hṛṣīkeśam: Hṛṣīkeśa (Viṣṇu)
• hṛṣīkeśam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hṛṣīkeśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• puṣpa-dhūpa-ādibhiḥ: with flowers, incense, etc.
• puṣpa-dhūpa-ādibhiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + dhūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (पुष्पधूपादि-समूहः)

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kriya-vishesana (Sequential/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमवाचक (then)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Begin with Praṇava and perform Viṣṇu-pūjā with upacāras; devotion expressed through ordered ritual supports inner recollection.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-ārpaṇa and indriya-nigraha: offering sensory objects (flowers, incense) redirects the mind from attachment to surrender.

Application: If possible, start with Oṁ, then simple Viṣṇu worship—flowers/incense—keeping the focus on remembrance rather than display.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.32.89 (japa); Garuda Purana 2.32.91 (stotra, dhyāna, dāna)

Characters & Entities

• Hṛṣīkeśa (Viṣṇu)
• Praṇava (Oṁ)

FAQs

What is the importance of beginning rites with the Praṇava (Oṁ) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse places Oṁ at the start as the sanctifying invocation that aligns the rite with dharma and prepares the worship and charity to be performed in a sacred, scripturally grounded manner.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death?

In the Preta Kanda context, correct worship and dāna—initiated with Oṁ and directed to Viṣṇu—support the efficacy of post-death rites (such as śrāddha/pinda offerings) intended to aid the departed and uphold cosmic order.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before any memorial rite, charity, or prayer, begin with a mindful Oṁ and offer simple, sincere worship (e.g., flowers/incense) to Viṣṇu, ensuring the act is done with reverence and ethical intent.