Shloka 180

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

Devanagari script

क्रियते मानुषाणान्तु स वा आहुतिपूर्वकः / विप्रैर्विधिरतः कार्यो मन्त्रैस्तु विधिपूर्वकम्

Transliteration

kriyate mānuṣāṇāntu sa vā āhutipūrvakaḥ / viprairvidhirataḥ kāryo mantraistu vidhipūrvakam

Translation

For human beings, this rite is to be performed together with offerings into the sacred fire. Therefore, learned brāhmaṇas should carry it out according to the prescribed procedure, and the mantras too must be applied exactly in the proper, rule-bound manner.

Word by Word

• क्रियते: is performed
• क्रियते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• मानुषाणाम्: of humans
• मानुषाणाम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विरोध/विशेष (particle)

• सः: that (rite)
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विकल्प (or)

• आहुतिपूर्वकः: preceded by offerings/oblations
• आहुतिपूर्वकः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आहुति + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (आहुत्या पूर्वकः = preceded by oblations)

• विप्रैः: by Brahmins
• विप्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• विधिः: the procedure/rite
• विधिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, हेत्वर्थ/तस्मात् (causal: therefore/from this)

• कार्यः: should be done
• कार्यः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + ण्यत् (कृत्प्रत्यय)
• Form: ण्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण

• मन्त्रैः: with mantras
• मन्त्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विरोध/विशेष (particle)

• विधिपूर्वकम्: in accordance with rule
• विधिपूर्वकम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adverb
• Root: विधि + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् प्रयोग (adverbial accusative); समासः—तत्पुरुष (विधिना पूर्वकम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Human funerary rite must include āhuti into fire; qualified brāhmaṇas must perform it with exact mantras and procedure.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda (mantra) and karma-kāṇḍa efficacy when aligned with vidhi; disciplined action as purifier.

Application: Ensure competent officiants; follow standardized prayoga; avoid improvisation in mantras/steps during antyeṣṭi and related rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: cremation_ground

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4: antyeṣṭi as āhuti-pūrvaka; mantra-vidhi emphasis; subsequent effigy/darbha procedures

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas (Vipras)
• Mantras
• Ahutis (oblations)

FAQs

What is the importance of performing rites with āhuti (oblations) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that the human rite should be done with fire-offerings, indicating that offerings and mantra-recitation together complete the prescribed ritual act.

How does this verse explain the correct way to do Garuda Purana funeral or post-death rites?

It emphasizes strict adherence to vidhi (injunctions): qualified vipras should conduct the procedure, and mantras must be applied correctly, making the rite valid and spiritually effective.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow an authentic, rule-based ritual process—use correct mantras and competent guidance—while keeping the intent of dharma and respectful duty at the center of the observance.