Shloka 151

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

Devanagari script

विष्णुमुद्दिश्य दातव्या सुशीला गौः पयस्विनी / तिला लौहं हिरण्यञ्च कर्पासं लवणं तथा

Transliteration

viṣṇumuddiśya dātavyā suśīlā gauḥ payasvinī / tilā lauhaṃ hiraṇyañca karpāsaṃ lavaṇaṃ tathā

Translation

Dedicating it to Lord Viṣṇu, one should donate a gentle, well-mannered cow rich in milk; likewise sesame seeds, iron, gold, cotton, and also salt are to be given.

Word by Word

• विष्णुम्: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुम्: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; उद्देश्यार्थ (towards)

• उद्दिश्य: intending (for), addressing
• उद्दिश्य: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उद् + दिश् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त-समकक्ष अव्यय (gerund): 'having intended/addressed'

• दातव्या: should be given
• दातव्या: Vidhi (Obligation/विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दा (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तव्यत्-प्रत्यय (gerundive): 'to be given/should be given'

• सुशीला: good-natured
• सुशीला: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—'सुशीलाः' = good-natured; गौः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• गौः: a cow
• गौः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्तृस्थानीया (दातव्या—यत्)

• पयस्विनी: milk-giving
• पयस्विनी: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पयस् + विनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; 'milk-yielding'—गौः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• तिलाः: sesame seeds
• तिलाः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; दानद्रव्य-समुच्चय

• लौहम्: iron
• लौहम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लौह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; 'iron'

• हिरण्यम्: gold
• हिरण्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; 'gold'

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

• कर्पासम्: cotton
• कर्पासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्पास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; 'cotton'

• लवणम्: salt
• लवणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; 'salt'

• तथा: likewise, also
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/प्रकार-अव्यय (thus/also)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After purification/upacāra steps, as part of śrāddha-associated dāna for the departed.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Viṣṇv-uddeśya dāna: charity dedicated to Viṣṇu as merit (puṇya) and support for the departed’s welfare.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: offering possessions with dedication to the Lord reduces attachment and supports dharmic order.

Application: Practice intentional giving—support caretakers, food security, and ethical animal welfare; dedicate charity to a higher ideal rather than ego.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Geographic Context

Type: household/ritual donation setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4.147–150: preceding preta-śuddhi and purification steps leading into dāna

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of donating items 'dedicated to Vishnu' in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames charity (dāna) as an offering oriented to Viṣṇu, emphasizing sanctified giving—cow and specific essentials—as a dharmic support connected with post-death observances.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it prescribes dharmic acts (dāna) associated with funerary context in the Preta Kanda, implying that proper ritual generosity supports auspicious transition and reduces impediments for the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Offer charity in a devotional spirit—support cows/gaushalas, donate essentials (food, salt, clothing/cotton), and give responsibly according to means—especially when performing śrāddha or memorial rites.