Shloka 135

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

Devanagari script

पलाशस्य च वृन्तानां विभागं शृणु काश्यप / कृष्णाजिनं समास्तीर्य कुशैश्च पुरुषाकृतिम्

Transliteration

palāśasya ca vṛntānāṃ vibhāgaṃ śṛṇu kāśyapa / kṛṣṇājinaṃ samāstīrya kuśaiśca puruṣākṛtim

Translation

O Kāśyapa, listen to the proper arrangement of the palāśa stalks. Having spread out a black antelope-skin, one should fashion a human-shaped form with kuśa grass.

Word by Word

• पलाशस्य: of palāśa (Butea)
• पलाशस्य: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पलाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (Genitive, 6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Conjunction)

• वृन्तानाम्: of the stalks
• वृन्तानाम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), षष्ठी (Genitive, 6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• विभागम्: division; distribution
• विभागम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• काश्यप: O Kāśyapa
• काश्यप: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काश्यप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

• कृष्णाजिनम्: a black hide (deerskin)
• कृष्णाजिनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण + अजिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• समास्तीर्य: having spread out
• समास्तीर्य: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√स्तृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव

• कुशैः: with kuśa grass
• कुशैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Conjunction)

• पुरुषाकृतिम्: a human-shaped figure
• पुरुषाकृतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष + आकृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra; addressing him as Kāśyapa-lineage)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After sarpabali and before/within the puttalaka procedure; during the special rite sequence.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual embodiment through sanctioned materials: black antelope-skin as sacred base; kuśa as purifying medium; palāśa stalks arranged by rule.

Vedantic Theme: Form (ākṛti) as a ritual support (upādhi) for subtle intention; purity and efficacy depend on śāstric materials and method.

Application: Prepare the ritual base with kṛṣṇājina, then shape a human outline using kuśa; follow the specified palāśa-stalk arrangement taught by the authority.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4.134 (puttalaka to be made); Garuda Purana 2.4.136 (stalk count and limb-wise placement)

Characters & Entities

• Kashyapa
• Kusha
• Palasha

FAQs

What is the importance of making a puruṣākṛti (human-shaped form) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse indicates a prescribed ritual substitute/form used in preta-related procedures, where a human-shaped arrangement (often for symbolic representation) is made with kuśa on a consecrated base.

How does this verse connect to the soul’s post-death journey described in the Garuda Purana?

Preta-kāṇḍa instructions emphasize correct rites and materials; such procedures are presented as supports for orderly transitions in the post-death state, aligning ritual action with dharmic guidance for the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing or sponsoring śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related rites, follow tradition carefully through qualified priests—this verse highlights that even materials and layout are treated as significant in dharmic observance.