Shloka 174
Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths
तेनैव स्नापयित्वा तु दाहं कुर्यात्स्वगेश्वर / पञ्चभिः स्नापयित्वा तु गव्यैः प्रेतां रजस्वलाम्
tenaiva snāpayitvā tu dāhaṃ kuryātsvageśvara / pañcabhiḥ snāpayitvā tu gavyaiḥ pretāṃ rajasvalām
O lord of birds (Garuda), having bathed her with that same substance, one should then perform the cremation. But a menstruating woman should be bathed with the five cow-products first.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)
Beneficiary: Mata
Timing: immediately before dāha (cremation)
Concept: Antyeṣṭi must be performed with appropriate purification; exceptional bodily states (rajasvalā) entail specific śuddhi measures before cremation.
Vedantic Theme: Right action (karma in the sense of prescribed duty) performed without confusion sustains cosmic-social order; body is transient, rites manage transition.
Application: After bathing with the prescribed purifying medium, proceed to cremation; if the deceased was menstruating, bathe with pañcagavya before the funeral act.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: cremation ground (śmaśāna) / funeral threshold
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: special death conditions and their śuddhi/antyeṣṭi variations; Garuda Purana: cremation (dāha) procedures and impurity management
FAQs
This verse prescribes pañcagavya as a specific purifier for a rajasvalā (menstruating) deceased woman before cremation, indicating an added ritual cleansing step within antyeṣṭi.
By focusing on preparatory purification before cremation, the verse frames correct ritual handling of the body as part of dharmic order during the preta-stage, supporting orderly transition through post-death rites.
Follow the tradition’s intent: perform last rites with cleanliness, dignity, and guidance from competent priests/elders, adapting procedures to local dharma-śāstra practice while keeping the focus on respectful, disciplined observance.