Shloka 130

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

Devanagari script

ताम्रपात्रं तिलैः पूर्णं सहिरण्यं सदक्षिणम् / दद्याद्ब्राह्मणमुख्याय पददानं तथैच

Transliteration

tāmrapātraṃ tilaiḥ pūrṇaṃ sahiraṇyaṃ sadakṣiṇam / dadyādbrāhmaṇamukhyāya padadānaṃ tathaica

Translation

One should give to an eminent Brāhmaṇa a copper vessel filled with sesame seeds, along with gold and a proper honorarium (dakṣiṇā); and likewise one should also perform the offering known as ‘padadāna’, the gift for the departed’s onward journey.

Word by Word

• ताम्रपात्रम्: a copper vessel
• ताम्रपात्रम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्रपात्र (प्रातिपदिक: ताम्र + पात्र)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (ताम्रस्य पात्रम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तिलैः: with sesame seeds
• तिलैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• पूर्णम्: filled
• पूर्णम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √पॄ)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (agreeing with ताम्रपात्रम्)

• सहिरण्यम्: together with gold
• सहिरण्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ) + हिरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास (हिरण्येन सह); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (agreeing with ताम्रपात्रम्)

• सदक्षिणम्: with a fee/donation
• सदक्षिणम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय) + दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास (दक्षिणया सह); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (agreeing with ताम्रपात्रम्)

• दद्यात्: should give
• दद्यात्: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ब्राह्मणमुख्याय: to the chief Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणमुख्याय: Sampradāna (Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (ब्राह्मणेषु मुख्यः); पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन

• पददानम्: the gift of ‘pada’ (footstep/mark offering)
• पददानम्: Karma (Object/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (पदानां दानम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (or as appositional object)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/अनुकरणवाचक (thus/likewise)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Nipāta (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (particle: indeed/only)

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

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vainateya)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After core offerings, during prescribed dāna segment

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna (sesame, copper, gold, dakṣiṇā) and padadāna generate merit directed toward the departed’s benefit and ritual completion.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala and saṅkalpa-directed merit transfer within Smārta framework; generosity as purification of the giver.

Application: Offer a copper vessel filled with sesame, add gold and appropriate dakṣiṇā to a qualified brāhmaṇa; perform padadāna as prescribed.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: dāna-sthāna within śrāddha venue

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: dāna items (tila, loha, hiraṇya) and padadāna in śrāddha context (2.4.127–131)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana
• Preta

FAQs

What is the importance of sesame (tila) and a copper vessel donation in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes a specific śrāddha-style charity: a copper vessel filled with tila, given with gold and dakṣiṇā to a worthy Brāhmaṇa, as a supportive rite connected to the departed’s welfare.

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

By mentioning padadāna alongside prescribed gifts, the verse links ritual giving (dāna) with aiding the preta’s onward passage—symbolically providing support for the ‘path/steps’ of the departed.

Practical application of this teaching today?

Perform post-death rites with sincerity and ethical charity—offer appropriate donations (as per tradition and capacity) to qualified priests/Brāhmaṇas, emphasizing generosity, gratitude to ancestors, and dharmic conduct.