Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

तालवृन्तस्य दानेन वायुना वीज्यते पथि / कान्तियुक् सुभगः श्रीमान् भवत्यम्बरदानतः

Transliteration

tālavṛntasya dānena vāyunā vījyate pathi / kāntiyuk subhagaḥ śrīmān bhavatyambaradānataḥ

Translation

By gifting a palm-leaf fan, one is fanned by a cool breeze along the path. By donating clothing, one becomes radiant, fortunate, and endowed with prosperity (Śrī).

Word by Word

• तालवृन्तस्य: of a palm-fan handle (palm-fan)
• तालवृन्तस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तालवृन्त (प्रातिपदिक; ताड/ताल + वृन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (तालस्य वृन्तम्)

• दानेन: by the gift (by giving)
• दानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• वायुना: by the wind
• वायुना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• वीज्यते: is fanned
• वीज्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वीज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• पथि: on the road
• पथि: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन (पथिन्-शब्द)

• कान्तियुक्: endowed with beauty
• कान्तियुक्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कान्ति + युज् (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-समासान्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (कान्त्या युक्तः)

• सुभगः: fortunate, handsome
• सुभगः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुभग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• श्रीमान्: prosperous, illustrious
• श्रीमान्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त)

• भवति: becomes
• भवति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• अम्बरदानतः: from (the merit of) giving garments
• अम्बरदानतः: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्बरदान (प्रातिपदिक; अम्बर + दान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अम्बरस्य दानम्)

Speaker

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

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Charitable gifts fructify as corresponding experiential results; dana of fan and clothing yields comfort and auspicious qualities.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala as orderly moral causation within saṃsāra; cultivating sattva through generosity.

Application: Give useful, need-based items (fan/airing aid, clothing) with respectful intent; prioritize gifts that directly relieve others’ discomfort.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: journey-route

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4 (dana-phala sequence: water/food/house etc.); Garuda Purana Preta-related passages where gifts become aids on the path

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of dāna (charity) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse presents dāna as practical spiritual support: specific gifts generate corresponding comforts and auspicious qualities for the departed, showing how puṇya is directed through ritual charity.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It implies a difficult onward journey where the preta benefits from merit-transfer through offerings—symbolically receiving relief (cool breeze) and dignity/protection (clothing) on the way.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform charity with clear intention—donate clothing and useful items for comfort—especially during śrāddha or memorial rites, and cultivate generosity as a dharmic habit.