Shloka 134

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

Devanagari script

एवं सर्पबलिं दत्त्वा सर्पदोषाद्विमुच्यते / पश्चात्पुत्तलकं कार्यं सर्वोषधिसमन्वितम्

Transliteration

evaṃ sarpabaliṃ dattvā sarpadoṣādvimucyate / paścātputtalakaṃ kāryaṃ sarvoṣadhisamanvitam

Translation

Thus, after offering the sarpabali (serpent-oblation), one is freed from faults arising from serpents. Thereafter, one should prepare the puttalaka, furnished with all medicinal herbs.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Adverb: manner)

• सर्पबलिम्: snake-offering
• सर्पबलिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्प + बलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव

• सर्पदोषात्: from the fault/affliction of snakes
• सर्पदोषात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्प + दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), पञ्चमी (Ablative, 5th), एकवचन (Singular)

• विमुच्यते: is freed; is released
• विमुच्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-√मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोग (passive sense)

• पश्चात्: afterwards
• पश्चात्: Kāla (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Adverb of time)

• पुत्तलकम्: an effigy/doll (ritual figure)
• पुत्तलकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्तलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• कार्यम्: to be made; should be done
• कार्यम्: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); विधेय (predicative)

• सर्वोषधिसमन्वितम्: endowed with all herbs
• सर्वोषधिसमन्वितम्: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + ओषधि + समन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past participle from सम्-√अन्वि/√इ ‘endowed with’), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After completing sarpabali; then proceed to puttalaka preparation as the next step.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Specific karmic/ritual countermeasures (sarpabali) remove sarpa-doṣa; subsequent puttalaka preparation indicates a structured remedial sequence.

Vedantic Theme: Adṛṣṭa (unseen karmic residue) is addressed through prescribed actions; order and completeness of rites matter for efficacy.

Application: Perform sarpabali to neutralize serpent-related affliction; then prepare the puttalaka with comprehensive medicinal herbs as instructed in the rite.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4.135-136 (materials and construction details for the body-form/puttalaka); Garuda Purana 2.4.133 (gold serpent and cow dāna)

Characters & Entities

• Serpents (Nāgas)

FAQs

What is the importance of sarpabali in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that performing sarpabali removes serpent-related doṣas (harmful afflictions/faults), indicating it as a pacificatory rite within the ritual sequence.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or the funeral-rite sequence?

It presents a procedural order—first a serpent-oblation for removing obstacles, then preparation of a puttalaka with medicinal herbs—implying that protective and corrective rites support the broader preta-ritual framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow ritual actions in proper sequence and intent: first address perceived obstacles (doṣa-śānti), then proceed to the main rite with completeness and care, symbolized here by preparing the puttalaka with supporting substances.