Shloka 159

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

Devanagari script

मतिपूर्वममत्या च क्रमात्तनिष्कृतिं शृणु / कृत्वाग्निमुदकं स्नानं स्पर्शनं वहनं कथाम्

Transliteration

matipūrvamamatyā ca kramāttaniṣkṛtiṃ śṛṇu / kṛtvāgnimudakaṃ snānaṃ sparśanaṃ vahanaṃ kathām

Translation

With mindful intention, and together with the prescribed attendant rites, listen to the niṣkṛti to be performed in due sequence: the fire-rite and the water-rite, bathing, purificatory touching (spārśana), and the carrying/transport of what must be borne, as taught in the tradition.

Word by Word

• मतिपूर्वम्: intentionally/knowingly
• मतिपूर्वम्: Sambandha (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मति (प्रातिपदिक) + पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः; adverbial: 'with intention/knowingly first'

• अमत्याः: from an attendant/assistant
• अमत्याः: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन; 'from an attendant/minister' (contextual)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• क्रमात्: in sequence
• क्रमात्: Sambandha (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; adverbial ablative: 'in order/step by step'

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; qualifier of 'निष्कृतिम्'

• निष्कृतिम्: expiation
• निष्कृतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निष्कृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; object of 'शृणु'

• शृणु: hear/listen
• शृणु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; imperative

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund): having done

• अग्निम्: fire
• अग्निम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; object under 'कृत्वा' (having made/used fire)

• उदकम्: water
• उदकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• स्नानम्: bathing
• स्नानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• स्पर्शनम्: touching
• स्पर्शनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्पर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वहनम्: carrying
• वहनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कथाम्: account/instruction
• कथाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; appositional object: 'the account/instruction'

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During corrective rites surrounding ūrdhva-dehika procedures when impurity/breach is suspected

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Expiation is sequential and intentional: correct mindset (mati) plus attendant rites performed in proper order restore ritual fitness.

Vedantic Theme: Saṅkalpa and krama (order) refine karma; purification disciplines the doer, aligning action with dharma.

Application: When a breach occurs in funeral/śrāddha procedure, apply the prescribed prāyaścitta steps in sequence—fire/water rites, bath, purificatory contact, and correct handling/transport—rather than improvising.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual setting (home/riverbank/cremation-ground approach)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4.158 (śuddhi prerequisite); Garuda Purana 2.4.160-161 (specific prāyaścittas and graded penance)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Udaka (water)

FAQs

What is the importance of ordered expiation (taniṣkṛti) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that purification/expiation is not random; it is performed kramāt—step by step—with mindful intent and prescribed auxiliary observances, ensuring ritual and ethical correctness.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals?

It points to key purificatory components used around impurity and post-death contexts—fire and water rites, bathing, purificatory touch, and the ritual act of carrying/transport—presented as part of an instructed sequence.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach any rite of purification (or moral repair) with clear intention, follow an authentic sequence from a trusted tradition/teacher, and treat cleansing—physical and ethical—as a disciplined process rather than a shortcut.