Shloka 128

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

Devanagari script

पञ्च श्राद्धानि कुर्वीत देवतानां यथाविधि / जलधारां ततः कुर्यात्पिण्डेपिण्डे पृथक्पृथक्

Transliteration

pañca śrāddhāni kurvīta devatānāṃ yathāvidhi / jaladhārāṃ tataḥ kuryātpiṇḍepiṇḍe pṛthakpṛthak

Translation

One should perform the five śrāddha offerings for the deities in the prescribed manner; thereafter, one should pour a stream of water, separately for each piṇḍa—piṇḍa by piṇḍa.

Word by Word

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या)
• Form: संख्यावाचक; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः/नपुंसक-बहुवचनार्थे विशेषणम् (indeclinable numeral used adjectivally)

• श्राद्धानि: śrāddha rites
• श्राद्धानि: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन

• कुर्वीत: should perform
• कुर्वीत: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• देवतानाम्: of the deities
• देवतानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• यथा: according to
• यथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: as/according to)

• विधि: rule/prescription
• विधि: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (यथा + विधि = यथाविधि, अव्ययीभावार्थे)

• जलधाराम्: a stream of water
• जलधाराम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जलधारा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमवाचक (then)

• कुर्यात्: should make/do
• कुर्यात्: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पिण्डे: on a piṇḍa (rice-ball offering)
• पिण्डे: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पिण्डे: on each piṇḍa
• पिण्डे: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन (पुनरुक्ति: distributive sense)

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

• पृथक्: each time separately
• पृथक्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृथक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति (distributive: each separately)

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During śrāddha performance after deva-related offerings

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Deva-satisfaction and pitṛ-support through prescribed multi-step śrāddha and individualized water-stream offerings to each piṇḍa.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual action as niyatakarma; honoring cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) through deva and pitṛ obligations.

Application: Perform the five prescribed śrāddhas correctly; pour water distinctly for each piṇḍa without mixing steps or collapsing repetitions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: śrāddha-vedi / ritual seat near water source

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: piṇḍa-vidhi and tarpaṇa sequences (contextual to 2.4.127–131)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Devas
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of performing the five śrāddhas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that the śrāddha sequence should be done in a rule-based way, as a structured rite that supports proper offering and ritual order for post-death observances.

Why does the verse specify pouring water separately for each piṇḍa?

It indicates precision in piṇḍa-dāna: each rice-ball offering is to be accompanied by its own distinct water libation, ensuring the rite is not merged or done indistinctly.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha or assisting in it, follow an established procedure (tradition/priestly guidance) and keep offerings deliberate and separate rather than rushed or combined.