Shloka 156

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

Devanagari script

अशक्तौ गोहिरण्यादि प्रत्याम्नायं चरेदपि / आत्मनो ऽनधिकारित्वे शुद्धिमेवं चरेद्वुन्धः

Transliteration

aśaktau gohiraṇyādi pratyāmnāyaṃ caredapi / ātmano 'nadhikāritve śuddhimevaṃ caredvundhaḥ

Translation

If one is unable to perform the prescribed rite, one may undertake a substitute offering such as a cow, gold, and the like. And if one is not entitled or competent to perform it oneself, then one should pursue purification in this manner—so declares the sacred instruction.

Word by Word

• अशक्तौ: in inability/when unable
• अशक्तौ: Adhikarana (Condition/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अशक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन

• गो-हिरण्य-आदि: cow, gold, etc.
• गो-हिरण्य-आदि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + हिरण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्वः; (गोहिरण्यादि = cow, gold, etc.); अव्ययवत् सूची-प्रयोगः

• प्रत्याम्नायम्: a substitute/alternative prescription
• प्रत्याम्नायम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रति + आम्नाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

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

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Connector/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/सम्भावना-निपातः (also/even)

• आत्मनः: of oneself
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन

• अनधिकारित्वे: in the state of having no eligibility
• अनधिकारित्वे: Adhikarana (Condition/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनधिकारित्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन

• शुद्धिम्: purification
• शुद्धिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

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

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

• वुन्धः: the person (so termed)
• वुन्धः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वुन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; (पाठभेद/दुर्लभ-शब्दः; कर्तृपदत्वेन)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When unable, one may perform substitute offerings (cow, gold, etc.); when not entitled/competent, one should still pursue purification through the prescribed alternative means.

Vedantic Theme: Intent aligned with dharma matters; karma is adaptable by śāstra to circumstance while preserving inner purity and social-ritual order.

Application: If resources/ability are lacking, offer approved substitutes; if personal competence/adhikāra is lacking, seek qualified assistance and perform the purification steps appropriate to one’s station.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4.152 (dāna items); Garuda Purana 2.4.155 (prāyaścitta calibration)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of substitute offerings (pratyāmnāya) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse authorizes substitutes like cow or gold when a person lacks capacity to complete the full prescribed rite, preserving dharma while matching one’s means.

How does this verse address ritual eligibility (adhikāra)?

It states that if one is not personally qualified to perform the rite, one should follow an appropriate purification/regulated procedure instead of forcing an unauthorized performance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When resources or eligibility are limited, follow a legitimate, tradition-approved alternative (e.g., sanctioned donation/substitute and proper guidance) rather than abandoning duty or performing incorrectly.