Shloka 122

Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths

Devanagari script

हविष्यान्नं शुभं मुद्रां छत्रोष्णीषे च दापयेत् / दापयेत्सर्वसंस्यानि क्षीरं क्षौद्रसमान्वितम्

Transliteration

haviṣyānnaṃ śubhaṃ mudrāṃ chatroṣṇīṣe ca dāpayet / dāpayetsarvasaṃsyāni kṣīraṃ kṣaudrasamānvitam

Translation

One should give sacred food fit for oblations (havisya) together with auspicious gifts, and also donate an umbrella and a turban (uṣṇīṣa). One should further provide all requisite provisions—milk accompanied by honey.

Word by Word

• हविष्यान्नम्: food of oblation (havis-food)
• हविष्यान्नम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हविष्य + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (हविष्यस्य अन्नम्)

• शुभम्: auspicious, good
• शुभम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (हविष्यान्नम् इति)

• मुद्राम्: seal/coin (mudrā)
• मुद्राम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• छत्रोष्णीषे: in/with umbrella and turban (together)
• छत्रोष्णीषे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्र + उष्णीष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्व), सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; छत्रं च उष्णीषं च (समाहारः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• दापयेत्: should cause (someone) to give
• दापयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) + णिच् (causative)
• Form: लोट् (imperative/आज्ञार्थ), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिजन्त-प्रयोगः (causative: ‘cause to give’)

• दापयेत्: should cause to give
• दापयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) + णिच् (causative)
• Form: लोट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; पुनरुक्त-क्रिया

• सर्वसंस्यानि: all (such) offerings/items (saṃsyāni)
• सर्वसंस्यानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + संस्यानि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सर्वाणि संस्यानि)

• क्षीरम्: milk
• क्षीरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• क्षौद्रसमान्वितम्: mixed with honey
• क्षौद्रसमान्वितम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षौद्र + सम् + अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘अन्वित’ = endowed/combined; तत्पुरुषः (क्षौद्रेण समान्वितम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Śrāddha day (tithi-based; commonly amāvāsyā/annual tithi as applicable)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna as an integral limb of śrāddha—supplying havis-like food and auspicious items to complete the rite and generate merit.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: sanctified action and giving, offered without deceit, purifies the doer and supports cosmic order (ṛta/dharma).

Application: During śrāddha, provide clean havishyānna and appropriate gifts (mudrā/dakṣiṇā, umbrella, turban), and ensure nourishing provisions like milk with honey as per capacity and custom.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4 (Śrāddha-vidhi context: dāna, dakṣiṇā, pitṛ-tarpaṇa)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Preta
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of donating items like food, umbrella, and turban in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames such dāna as part of the prescribed support given in post-death rites—ritually auspicious provisions intended to aid the departed and fulfill śrāddha-related obligations.

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

In Preta Kanda, Vishnu outlines practical rites and donations that accompany the preta-stage observances; these acts are presented as dharmic supports during the vulnerable post-death transition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform charity and ritual giving with purity and intention—offer food and essentials (or their equivalent donation) during śrāddha/ स्मृति-observed occasions as an act of dharma and remembrance.