Shloka 178

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

Devanagari script

पञ्चकानन्तरं सर्वं कार्यं कर्तव्यमन्यथा / पुत्त्राणां गोत्रिणां तस्य सन्तापो ऽप्युपजायते

Transliteration

pañcakānantaraṃ sarvaṃ kāryaṃ kartavyamanyathā / puttrāṇāṃ gotriṇāṃ tasya santāpo 'pyupajāyate

Translation

After the pañcaka rites, all the remaining duties should be performed; otherwise, distress also arises for his sons and for those of his lineage (kinsmen).

Word by Word

• पञ्चकानन्तरम्: after the five (days)
• पञ्चकानन्तरम्: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चक + अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (पञ्चकस्य अनन्तरम् = after the five-day period)

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• कार्यम्: the rite/task
• कार्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कर्तव्यम्: must be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्प्रत्यय)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण

• अन्यथा: otherwise
• अन्यथा: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (manner adverb)

• पुत्त्राणाम्: of the sons
• पुत्त्राणाम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• गोत्रिणाम्: of the clan-members/kinsmen
• गोत्रिणाम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोत्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• तस्य: of him/of that person
• तस्य: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• सन्तापः: distress/affliction
• सन्तापः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्ताप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय/अप्यर्थ (particle: also/even)

• उपजायते: arises/comes about
• उपजायते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After completion of pañcaka period

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rites deferred by pañcaka must be completed afterward; omission harms the family line through santityāga/duḥkha (distress).

Vedantic Theme: Interdependence of individual karma and kula-dharma; ritual obligations sustain social-ethical order (ṛta as lived dharma).

Application: Track pañcaka restrictions; once concluded, promptly perform remaining antyeṣṭi/śrāddha-related duties to prevent familial anxiety and ritual incompleteness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4: pañcaka-related funeral constraints and subsequent completion of rites

Characters & Entities

• Putras (sons)
• Gotra (lineage/kinsmen)

FAQs

What is the importance of the pañcaka rites in Garuda Purana?

This verse treats pañcaka as a key milestone after which the remaining prescribed post-death duties must continue; pañcaka functions as an essential early sequence in the funeral/śrāddha framework.

How does this verse explain the consequences of neglecting death rituals?

It states that if the required rites after pañcaka are not performed, sorrow and affliction arise not only in relation to the deceased but also for his sons and gotra-kin, indicating a shared familial responsibility and impact.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Complete required funeral and śrāddha observances in their proper sequence (especially after the initial pañcaka period) and, if needed, coordinate with family and a qualified priest to avoid omissions that cause ongoing anxiety and conflict in the household.