Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

भस्मादिस्नानदशकमादौ कुर्याद्विचक्षणः / यथाशक्ति षडब्दादिप्रत्याम्नायाच्चरेदपि

Transliteration

bhasmādisnānadaśakamādau kuryādvicakṣaṇaḥ / yathāśakti ṣaḍabdādipratyāmnāyāccaredapi

Translation

At the outset, the discerning person should perform the ten purificatory bath-observances beginning with the use of sacred ash; and, according to one’s capacity, one should also undertake the prescribed discipline—such as the six-year observance and the like—taught in the tradition.

Word by Word

• भस्मादिस्नानदशकम्: the set of ten baths beginning with ash, etc.
• भस्मादिस्नानदशकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्म (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + स्नान (प्रातिपदिक) + दशक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—भस्मादि- (तत्पुरुष) + स्नानदशकम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/निर्देश)

• आदौ: at the beginning
• आदौ: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; काल/क्रमवाचक अव्यय (adverb: at the beginning)

• कुर्यात्: should do/perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष? (actually 3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• विचक्षणः: the discerning person
• विचक्षणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• यथाशक्ति: according to ability
• यथाशक्ति: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; अव्यय (adverb: according to one’s ability)

• षडब्दादिप्रत्याम्नायात्: from the recitation/observance beginning with six years, etc.
• षडब्दादिप्रत्याम्नायात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षट् (प्रातिपदिक) + अब्द (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रत्याम्नाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; समासः—षडब्दादि- (तत्पुरुष) + प्रत्याम्नाय (निर्देश)

• चरेत्: should practice/undertake
• चरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष? (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle: also/even)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śauca and vrata as prerequisites for expiation and auspicious passage; practice according to capacity (yathāśakti).

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra (fitness) cultivated through śuddhi; karma-yoga orientation—right action with measured capacity.

Application: Adopt regular purificatory routines and sustainable vows; choose disciplines proportionate to health, resources, and life-stage rather than performative excess.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta-kalpa): sections on śauca, prāyaścitta, and dāna as supports for the preta’s journey; Garuda Purana: dāna lists and yathāśakti principle recurring in śrāddha-related passages

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of purificatory bathing (snāna) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames ritual bathing—especially the tenfold set beginning with bhasma—as an essential opening discipline, establishing purity and readiness for subsequent rites and dharmic observances.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and the preta context?

In the Preta Kanda’s instructional flow, it emphasizes preliminary purification and regulated practice as foundations for correctly performing rites connected with the departed and post-death religious duties.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin any serious religious observance with cleanliness and a simple, sustainable discipline you can maintain (yathāśakti), rather than adopting burdensome vows that cannot be completed.