Shloka 46

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

Devanagari script

स्वधावाचनमाशीश्च तिलकं च खगोत्तम / घटं दद्यात्समाषान्नं दद्याल्लोहस्य दक्षिणाम्

Transliteration

svadhāvācanamāśīśca tilakaṃ ca khagottama / ghaṭaṃ dadyātsamāṣānnaṃ dadyāllohasya dakṣiṇām

Translation

One should recite the sacred “svadhā” formula and offer blessings; and, O Garuḍa, best of birds, apply the tilaka. One should donate a water-pot and give food prepared with mixed grains; and one should also give a dakṣiṇā—an offering of iron.

Word by Word

• स्वधा-वाचनम्: uttering “svadhā”
• स्वधा-वाचनम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वधा (प्रातिपदिक) + वाचन (प्रातिपदिक; √वच्, ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः: स्वधाया वाचनम् (utterance of ‘svadhā’)

• आशीः: blessing
• आशीः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आशीस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (आशीः/आशीस्)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात

• तिलकम्: tilaka mark
• तिलकम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात

• खग-उत्तम: O best of birds
• खग-उत्तम: Sambodhana (Vocative address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: खगः उत्तमः

• घटम्: a pot
• घटम्: Karman (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

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

• समाष-अन्नम्: samāṣa-food (a prepared dish)
• समाष-अन्नम्: Karman (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समाष (प्रातिपदिक; अनिश्चित/पाठभेद सम्भव) + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः: समाषं अन्नम्/समाषस्य अन्नम् (food of/with samāṣa)

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

• लोहस्य: of iron
• लोहस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• दक्षिणाम्: fee/gift (dakṣiṇā)
• दक्षिणाम्: Karman (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within ekoddiṣṭa/antyeṣṭi-associated śrāddha sequence after core offerings; as part of mantra and dāna completion

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Svadhā-vācana and āśīrvāda, tilaka, and prescribed dānas (water-pot, mixed-grain food, iron dakṣiṇā) as integral to the rite.

Vedantic Theme: Karma offered with mantra and dāna refines the heart; giving (dāna) loosens possessiveness at a time of loss, aligning with sattvic conduct.

Application: Include svadhā formula correctly, offer blessings, apply tilaka as prescribed; donate a water-pot, provide mixed-grain food, and give iron dakṣiṇā according to capacity and custom.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha mantras and dāna prescriptions; adjacent verses 2.4.42–45 on ekoddiṣṭa, piṇḍa, udaka offerings

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of reciting “svadhā” in Garuda Purana rites?

“Svadhā” is the formal invocation used for Pitṛ-offerings; this verse places it as a key act in śrāddha-related observances, ensuring the rite is correctly directed to the ancestors.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and offerings?

It lists practical components of the post-death ritual framework—benedictions, tilaka, and specific donations (a pot, mixed-grain food, and iron dakṣiṇā)—which are treated as supportive acts for the departed and as dharmic duties of the living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform remembrance rites with clarity and respect (right mantras and intentions) and add charitable giving—such as food donation and essential utilities—done in the name of the departed, following one’s tradition and capacity.