Shloka 127

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

Devanagari script

पृथक्कुम्भे ततः स्थाप्याः पञ्चरत्नसमन्विताः / वस्त्रयज्ञोपवीतानि पृथङ्मुद्गाः पदानि च

Transliteration

pṛthakkumbhe tataḥ sthāpyāḥ pañcaratnasamanvitāḥ / vastrayajñopavītāni pṛthaṅmudgāḥ padāni ca

Translation

Then, in separate pots, one should place the five gems; and separately set aside garments and the sacred thread (yajñopavīta), as well as mung beans and the ‘pada’ items (ritual steps/footprints) used in the funerary rite.

Word by Word

• पृथक्: separately
• पृथक्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृथक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/विभागवाचक (adverb: separately)

• कुम्भे: in a pot
• कुम्भे: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; काल/क्रमवाचक (adverb: then/from there)

• स्थाप्याः: should be placed
• स्थाप्याः: Karma (Object implied; items to be placed)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु) + य (कृत्, कर्मणि)
• Form: कृदन्त; कर्मणि भविष्यत्कालिक-आज्ञार्थ/विधिलिङ्गार्थ योग्यतावाचक (gerundive/obligatory passive participle); बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा (agreeing with implied items)

• पञ्चरत्नसमन्विताः: endowed with five gems
• पञ्चरत्नसमन्विताः: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या) + रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (सम्+अन्वि/इ धातु, क्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (पञ्चरत्नैः समन्विताः); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• वस्त्रयज्ञोपवीतानि: cloths and sacred threads
• वस्त्रयज्ञोपवीतानि: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + यज्ञोपवीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास (वस्त्राणि च यज्ञोपवीतानि च); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• पृथक्: separately
• पृथक्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृथक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: separately)

• मुद्गाः: green grams (mung beans)
• मुद्गाः: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• पदानि: footprints/steps (pads/marks)
• पदानि: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction: and)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During śrāddha preparation prior to offerings

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual completeness (sampad) through proper segregation and preparation of prescribed items for post-death rites.

Vedantic Theme: Kartavya-karma and śāstra-niyama as purifying discipline supporting the jīva’s transition.

Application: Prepare śrāddha materials in advance; keep offerings distinct and uncontaminated; follow prescribed order to avoid ritual defects.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: grihya-ritual space (shraddha/antyeshti adjunct)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: śrāddha-vidhi sequences on piṇḍa, tilodaka, padadāna, loha-dāna (adjacent verses 2.4.128–131)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of placing items in separate pots (pṛthak-kumbha) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes orderly, distinct placement of specific offerings—gems, cloth, yajñopavīta, and mudga—so each ritual component is kept separate and properly presented during funerary observances.

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

In the Preta Kanda, correct performance and preparation of post-death rites support the preta’s transition; this verse gives practical instructions for arranging key materials used in those rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related rituals, follow a clear, respectful setup—keep offerings categorized, clean, and intentionally arranged—so the rite is conducted with discipline and reverence.