Shloka 137

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

Devanagari script

चत्वारिंशच्छिरोभागे ग्रीवायां दश विन्यसेत् / विंशत्युरः स्थले दद्याद्विंशतिञ्जठरे तथा

Transliteration

catvāriṃśacchirobhāge grīvāyāṃ daśa vinyaset / viṃśatyuraḥ sthale dadyādviṃśatiñjaṭhare tathā

Translation

One should place forty portions upon the region of the head, ten upon the neck, twenty upon the area of the chest, and likewise twenty upon the belly.

Word by Word

• catvāriṃśat: forty
• catvāriṃśat: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catvāriṃśat (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्दः, अव्ययवत् (indeclinable-like numeral), कर्मणि/परिमाणे (measure)

• śiraḥ-bhāge: in the head-region
• śiraḥ-bhāge: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (śiraḥ = शिरसः)

• grīvāyām: in the neck
• grīvāyām: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: grīvā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचनम्

• daśa: ten
• daśa: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśa (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्दः, अव्ययवत् (indeclinable-like numeral), कर्मणि/परिमाणे

• vinyaset: should place/arrange
• vinyaset: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√nyas (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• viṃśati: twenty
• viṃśati: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṃśati (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्दः, अव्ययवत् (indeclinable-like numeral), कर्मणि/परिमाणे

• uraḥ-sthale: in the chest-area
• uraḥ-sthale: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uras (प्रातिपदिक) + sthala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (uraḥ = उरसः)

• dadyāt: should give/place
• dadyāt: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• viṃśatim: twenty (as quantity)
• viṃśatim: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṃśati (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः (संख्याशब्दः), द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचनम्; परिमाणे

• jaṭhare: in the belly/abdomen
• jaṭhare: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jaṭhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचनम्

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; प्रकारवाचक/समुच्चयार्थक (adverb: likewise)

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Antyeṣṭi/pretakriyā context (immediately after death rites, as prescribed in the section).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śarīra-saṃskāra through prescribed placement/measurement as a duty toward the departed.

Vedantic Theme: Anityatā of the body; dharma as supportive order for the jīva’s onward course.

Application: Follow the stated distribution exactly when arranging the śarīra/effigy components in funerary rites to avoid ritual deficiency (doṣa).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4.138; Garuda Purana 2.4.139; Garuda Purana 2.4.140; Garuda Purana 2.4.141

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of assigning numbers to body regions in Garuda Purana?

This verse gives a precise ritual allocation—specific quantities are to be placed/assigned to the head, neck, chest, and abdomen—indicating a structured method of offering that aligns the rite with the preta’s bodily (subtle) constitution.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

Indirectly: by prescribing ordered placements for offerings, it reflects the Garuda Purana’s view that the departed preta is supported through regulated rites while moving through the post-death transition, where ritual correctness is emphasized.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha/pinda-related observances, follow a qualified priest and traditional manuals: the takeaway is disciplined, careful execution of rites rather than improvisation—done with sincerity and dharmic intent.