Shloka 2

The Destiny of Those Who Die Through Fasting & the Procedure of Udakumbha-dāna

Devanagari script

किंलक्षणाः केन पूर्णाः कस्य देया जनार्दन / कस्मिन् काले प्रदातव्या प्रेततृप्तिप्रसाधकाः

Transliteration

kiṃlakṣaṇāḥ kena pūrṇāḥ kasya deyā janārdana / kasmin kāle pradātavyā pretatṛptiprasādhakāḥ

Translation

O Janārdana, what are the defining marks of these offerings, with what should they be properly completed, to whom should they be given, and at what time should they be offered—those acts that bring satisfaction to the preta, the departed spirit?

Word by Word

• kiṃlakṣaṇāḥ: Having what characteristics?
• kiṃlakṣaṇāḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kiṃlakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• kena: With what?
• kena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• pūrṇāḥ: Filled
• pūrṇāḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pṛ (धातु) -> pūrṇa
• Form: Kta Pratyaya (Past Participle), Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• kasya: To whom?
• kasya: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative/Genitive (4th/6th), Singular

• deyāḥ: To be given
• deyāḥ: Vidheya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dā (धातु)
• Form: Yat Pratyaya (Potential Participle), Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• janārdana: O Janardana
• janārdana: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janārdana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana), Singular

• kasmin: In which?
• kasmin: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• kāle: Time
• kāle: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• pradātavyāḥ: To be given/bestowed
• pradātavyāḥ: Vidheya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dā (धातु) + pra
• Form: Tavya Pratyaya, Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• pretatṛptiprasādhakāḥ: Effecting the satisfaction of the ghost
• pretatṛptiprasādhakāḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pretatṛptiprasādhaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra) addressing Lord Vishnu (Janardana)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: To be specified (kāla is explicitly queried)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Efficacy of rites depends on lakṣaṇa (proper features), pūraṇa (proper completion), dātṛ/recipient, and kāla (timing) aimed at preta-tṛpti.

Vedantic Theme: Karma as intentional action with right conditions (deśa-kāla-pātra) producing subtle results.

Application: In any sacred duty, ensure right materials, right recipient, and right timing; align intention with beneficiary.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: instructional dialogue

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.37: subsequent verses detailing udakumbha-dāna lakṣaṇa, pātra, kāla (immediate internal continuation)

Characters & Entities

• Janardana
• Preta

FAQs

What is the importance of preta-tṛpti (satisfaction of the departed) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames preta-tṛpti as a specific ritual objective and asks for the correct features, completeness, recipient, and timing of offerings—implying that precision in śrāddha/pinda-related rites is essential for the departed’s appeasement.

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

By using the term “preta,” it situates the deceased in the intermediate preta-state and indicates that properly timed and correctly directed offerings are considered supportive for that post-death condition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform memorial rites with clarity: know what is being offered, complete the rite as prescribed, give it to the proper recipient (typically qualified ritual agents/Brāhmaṇas in tradition), and observe the appropriate timing for śrāddha so the intention and method align.