Shloka 154

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

Devanagari script

एवं पुत्तलकं कृत्वा दाहयेद्विधिपूर्वकम् / तच्छ्रुद्धये तु संस्कर्ता पुत्रादिर्निष्कृतिं चरेत्

Transliteration

evaṃ puttalakaṃ kṛtvā dāhayedvidhipūrvakam / tacchruddhaye tu saṃskartā putrādirniṣkṛtiṃ caret

Translation

Thus, having prepared the puttalaka (effigy), one should cremate it according to the prescribed rite; and for the purification connected with that act, the performer of the funeral saṃskāras—such as the son and other relatives—should undertake the appropriate expiatory observances.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषणम् (thus)

• पुत्तलकम्: an effigy (puttalaka)
• पुत्तलकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्तलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कृत्वा (क्त्वान्त अव्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive), ‘having made/done’

• दाहयेत्: should burn (cause to be burnt)
• दाहयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दह् (धातु) (णिच्) → दाहयेत्
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative: cause to burn)

• विधिपूर्वकम्: according to prescribed rule
• विधिपूर्वकम्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक) + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावः; क्रियाविशेषणम् (विधिना पूर्वकम् = according to rule)

• तत्: of that
• तत्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन (तस्य) — ‘of that’ (sandhi in तच्छ्रुद्धये)

• श्रुद्धये: for purification
• श्रुद्धये: Sampradana (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रुद्धि/शुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4), एकवचन; (पाठे ‘श्रुद्धि’ इति, अर्थतः ‘शुद्धि’)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Connector/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/अन्वय-निपातः (but/indeed)

• संस्कर्ता: the performer (one who does the rites)
• संस्कर्ता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम् + कृ (धातु) → संस्कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्तृवाचक-नाम

• पुत्रादिः: the son and others
• पुत्रादिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पुत्रः आदिः यस्य/पुत्रादयः) — ‘son etc.’

• निष्कृतिम्: expiation/atonement
• निष्कृतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निष्कृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• चरेत्: should perform/practice
• चरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within the post-death saṃskāra sequence when puttalaka is employed

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When an effigy (puttalaka) is used, it must be cremated by rule; the doer (son/kin) must perform śuddhi and niṣkṛti (expiation) to complete the rite properly.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual completion (saṃskāra-siddhi) reduces disorder (aśauca/adharma) and supports auspicious gati; karma must be aligned with vidhi.

Application: If circumstances require symbolic rites (effigy), follow prescribed procedure meticulously and undertake the required purification/expiation under competent guidance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cremation ground

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4.155 (kṛcchra prāyaścitta durations); Garuda Purana 2.4.156 (substitutes when unable)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Putralaka (ritual effigy)
• Putra (son)

FAQs

What is the importance of the puttalaka (effigy) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse states that when a puttalaka is made, it should be cremated with proper ritual procedure, functioning as a prescribed substitute in the funeral context.

How does this verse explain duties after the cremation rite?

It specifies that the saṃskartā—typically the son or other qualified relatives—must observe purification and perform niṣkṛti (expiatory/rectifying rites) connected to the act.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow funeral procedures with guidance from competent tradition/priests and complete the required post-rite purification and remedial observances rather than treating the rites as merely symbolic.