Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

प्रेतस्य तत्र दातव्यं भाजनञ्च यदृच्छया / सुप्रीतस्तेन दत्तेन प्रेतो याम्यैः स गच्छति

Transliteration

pretasya tatra dātavyaṃ bhājanañca yadṛcchayā / suprītastena dattena preto yāmyaiḥ sa gacchati

Translation

There, one should give the preta a vessel (a bowl or container) as one is able. Pleased by what has been offered, the preta then proceeds along with Yama’s attendants.

Word by Word

• pretasya: of the deceased/ghost
• pretasya: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: preta (प्रेत)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• tatra: there / in that ritual
• tatra: Adhikaranavachaka (Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (तत्र)
• Form: Adverb of place

• dātavyam: should be given
• dātavyam: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dā (दा)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Tavya Pratyaya (Gerundive)

• bhājanam: vessel/pot
• bhājanam: Karma (Object/कर्म) - Passive construction subject
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhājana (भाजन)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च)
• Form: Conjunction

• yadṛcchayā: voluntarily / according to wish
• yadṛcchayā: Karana (Instrument/करण) or Adverbial
• Type: Noun
• Root: yadṛcchā (यदृच्छा)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• suprītaḥ: well pleased
• suprītaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: suprīta (सुप्रीत)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tena: by that
• tena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद्)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• dattena: by the gift/giving
• dattena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: datta (दत्त)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; Past Passive Participle used as noun

• pretaḥ: the deceased/ghost
• pretaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: preta (प्रेत)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• yāmyaiḥ: with the servants of Yama
• yāmyaiḥ: Sahartha (Association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yāmya (याम्य)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier to pretaḥ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• gacchati: goes
• gacchati: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (गम्)
• Form: Present Tense (Lat), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even modest gifts (yadṛcchayā) offered with intent generate benefit; satisfaction (suprīti) of the preta facilitates orderly progression under cosmic law (Yama).

Vedantic Theme: Karma’s subtle continuity beyond death; dharma as compassionate support within the governed moral universe (ṛta/dharma).

Application: Provide a usable vessel/container as capacity allows, as part of preta-support rites, trusting that sincere offering bears fruit.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: afterlife route

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: yama-dūta escort motifs; preta’s dependence on offerings from descendants; Garuda Purana: lists of dāna items (pātra, vastra, anna, udaka) that aid the departed

Characters & Entities

• Preta
• Yama
• Yamadutas (Yamya beings/attendants)

FAQs

What is the importance of donating a vessel (bhājana) for the preta in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that giving a bhājana as part of preta-related rites pleases the departed spirit; that satisfaction supports its onward movement on Yama’s path, indicating the ritual gift’s supportive role in post-death transition.

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

It portrays the preta as traveling under the jurisdiction of Yama, accompanied by Yama’s attendants; offerings made by the living are described as directly affecting the preta’s state (being ‘pleased’) and its ability to proceed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform ancestral/preta rites with sincerity and within one’s means (yadṛcchayā), emphasizing thoughtful charity and dutiful remembrance rather than extravagance.