Shloka 148

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

Devanagari script

दन्तेषु दाडिमीबीजान्यङ्गुलीषु च चम्पकम् / सिन्दूरं नेत्रकोणे च ताम्बूलाद्युपहारकम्

Transliteration

danteṣu dāḍimībījānyaṅgulīṣu ca campakam / sindūraṃ netrakoṇe ca tāmbūlādyupahārakam

Translation

Place pomegranate seeds upon the teeth, champaka flowers upon the fingers, vermilion (sindūra) at the corner of the eyes, and offer betel and related items as ritual gifts.

Word by Word

• दन्तेषु: on/in the teeth
• दन्तेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन; अधिकरण (location)

• दाडिमीबीजानि: pomegranate seeds
• दाडिमीबीजानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दाडिमी + बीज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दाडिम्याः बीजानि)

• अङ्गुलीषु: on the fingers
• अङ्गुलीषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन; अधिकरण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• चम्पकम्: campaka (flower)
• चम्पकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चम्पक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; 'campaka flower'

• सिन्दूरम्: vermilion
• सिन्दूरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिन्दूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; 'vermilion'

• नेत्रकोणे: at the corner of the eye
• नेत्रकोणे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नेत्र + कोण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (नेत्रस्य कोणः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• ताम्बूलाद्युपहारकम्: offering such as betel, etc.
• ताम्बूलाद्युपहारकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्बूल + आदि + उपहारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समाहारार्थः—'ताम्बूलादीनाम् उपहारकः/उपहारम्' (आदि-समासान्त)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within the upacāra sequence of preta-śuddhi/śrāddha procedure.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Upacāra and śuddhi through prescribed substances; dharma expressed as careful completion of rites.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual action (karma) as a supportive means for peace and continuity; symbolic offerings as carriers of intention (saṅkalpa).

Application: When performing śrāddha-related rites, use clean, appropriate substances and maintain a calm, respectful demeanor; treat offerings as intentional acts of care.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: śrāddha/antyeṣṭi ritual area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4.147–151: sequential upacāras for the preta and associated offerings

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Preta

FAQs

What is the importance of these items (pomegranate seeds, champaka, sindoor, tambula) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse lists specific upachara-style offerings used in preta-related rites, indicating a traditional sequence of respectful adornment and gifting meant to complete the ritual protocol for the departed.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana narrative?

While not describing the soul’s journey directly, it supports the broader Preta Kanda framework: correct rites and offerings are presented as aids that accompany the deceased’s transition through the preta stage and related post-death observances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related observances, follow established family or priestly tradition for offerings; the ethical takeaway is to honor the departed with care, completeness, and sincerity rather than neglecting prescribed duties.