Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

पदार्थपञ्चकं न स्याद्रेखा प्रत्यवनेजनम् / दद्यादक्षय्यमुदकं न स्यादेतत्त्रयं पुनः

Transliteration

padārthapañcakaṃ na syādrekhā pratyavanejanam / dadyādakṣayyamudakaṃ na syādetattrayaṃ punaḥ

Translation

The “five requisite items” should not be omitted; the marking of lines and the counter-washing (ritual cleansing) should also not be neglected. One should offer the “inexhaustible water” (akṣayya-udaka); again, these three must not be left undone.

Word by Word

• पदार्थ-पञ्चकम्: a set of five items
• पदार्थ-पञ्चकम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पदार्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + पञ्चक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः: पदार्थानां पञ्चकम् (set of five items)

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• रेखा: line/marking
• रेखा: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• प्रत्यवनेजनम्: washing/cleansing (rite)
• प्रत्यवनेजनम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रति-अव-नेजन (प्रातिपदिक; √निज्/√नेज् ‘to wash/clean’, ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• दद्याद्: should give
• दद्याद्: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अक्षय्यम्: imperishable/undiminishing
• अक्षय्यम्: Karman (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्षय्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• उदकम्: water
• उदकम्: Karman (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• त्रयम्: group of three
• त्रयम्: Karta (Subject complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• पुनः: again/further
• पुनः: Kriya-visheshaṇa (Discourse/Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति/पुनरावृत्तिवाचक (again/further)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within the śrāddha/antyeṣṭi sequence as mandatory aṅgas; especially during water-offering/tarpaṇa-related moments

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Do not omit required sets: pañcaka items, line-marking and counter-washing, and akṣayya-udaka offering.

Vedantic Theme: Form (vidhi) safeguards intention (bhāva); disciplined action reduces regret and supports sattva in liminal times.

Application: Use a structured sequence: ensure the prescribed ‘five items’ are present; perform rekha (ritual demarcation) and pratyavanejana (counter-washing/cleansing); offer akṣayya-udaka as directed.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha/antyeṣṭi procedural lists (aṅgas) around 2.4.42–46; later śrāddha chapters on tilodaka/udaka offerings

Characters & Entities

• Pretas
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of akṣayya udaka in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that offering ‘akṣayya udaka’—water given with the intent of lasting benefit—is a core component of rites for the departed and should not be omitted.

How does this verse guide Garuda Purana death ritual practice?

It lists key procedural elements—required items, ritual demarcation (rekhā), cleansing (pratyavanejana), and the water offering—stating they must be performed to keep the rite complete and effective for the preta’s welfare.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform ancestral rites with completeness and care—especially water libations and basic ritual purity—rather than treating them as optional, while maintaining sincerity and discipline.