Shloka 36

Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules

Devanagari script

प्रथमे ऽह्नि तृतीये च पञ्चमे सप्तमे ऽपि वा / नवमैकादशे चैव श्राद्धं नवकमुच्यते

Transliteration

prathame 'hni tṛtīye ca pañcame saptame 'pi vā / navamaikādaśe caiva śrāddhaṃ navakamucyate

Translation

On the first day, and also on the third, the fifth, and the seventh—or likewise on the ninth and the eleventh—these śrāddha rites are collectively called the “ninefold śrāddha.”

Word by Word

• prathame: on the first
• prathame: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/time)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prathama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (agreeing with 'ahni')

• ahni: day
• ahni: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ahan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular

• tṛtīye: on the third
• tṛtīye: Adhikaraṇa (time)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tṛtīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Singular (with 'ahni' understood)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• pañcame: on the fifth
• pañcame: Adhikaraṇa (time)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañcama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Singular (with 'ahni' understood)

• saptame: on the seventh
• saptame: Adhikaraṇa (time)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saptama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Singular (with 'ahni' understood)

• api: also
• api: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle 'also/even'

• vā: or
• vā: Vikalpa (विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Disjunctive particle 'or'

• navama-ekādaśe: on the ninth and eleventh
• navama-ekādaśe: Adhikaraṇa (time)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: navama (प्रातिपदिक) + ekādaśa (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: Locative (सप्तमी/7), Dual (द्विवचन) understood as two time-points; Dvandva: 'on the ninth and eleventh (days)' (with 'ahni' understood)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle

• śrāddham: śrāddha rite
• śrāddham: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrāddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular

• navakam: (called) 'navaka'
• navakam: Pradhāna-viśeṣaṇa (predicate qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: navaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (predicate adjective agreeing with śrāddham)

• ucyate: is said/called
• ucyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person, Singular; Passive voice (कर्मणि प्रयोग) from √vac 'to say'

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue, instructing Garuda/Vainateya)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Specified post-death days: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th (navaka framework as stated)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śrāddha has a prescribed temporal sequence; performing on specified days constitutes the navaka (ninefold) śrāddha framework.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) expressed through time-bound saṃskāra; disciplined action purifies and stabilizes mind and lineage obligations.

Application: Schedule and perform śrāddha on the indicated days (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th etc. as per local paddhati) as part of navaka observance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34: navaka/daśāha scheduling context; Garuda Purana śrāddha-kalpa sections enumerating day-wise rites

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Pretas

FAQs

What is the importance of the “navaka śrāddha” in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines navaka śrāddha as a prescribed set of śrāddha observances performed on specific post-death days, emphasizing disciplined timing in preta-related rites.

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

By prescribing śrāddha on particular days, the text indicates that post-death rites are staged and periodic, intended to support the departed (preta) and connect offerings to the Pitṛs through proper ritual sequence.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow tradition with clarity: if performing śrāddha after a death, observe the designated days (as per one’s family śākhā and local practice) and prioritize sincerity, purity, and charity alongside the rite.