Shloka 49
Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths
विश्रामे काष्ठचयने तथा सञ्चयने खग / मृतिस्थाने शवो नाम भूमिस्तुष्यति देवता
viśrāme kāṣṭhacayane tathā sañcayane khaga / mṛtisthāne śavo nāma bhūmistuṣyati devatā
O Bird (Garuda), at the resting-place, at the piling of the funeral wood, and likewise at the gathering (of the remains), at the place of death the divine potency of Earth is pleased by what is called a “śava,” a corpse.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: During antyeṣṭi stations: viśrāma, citā-cayana, and sañcayana; specifically at the mṛti-sthāna.
Concept: Antyeṣṭi actions at specific stations have cosmic correspondences; even the ‘corpse’ becomes a ritual instrument that propitiates presiding deities when treated according to dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Body as pañca-bhūta aggregate returning to Earth; ritual acknowledges dissolution while sustaining ṛta (order).
Application: At each funerary station—resting, arranging pyre-wood, collecting remains—perform the appropriate rites with awareness of the presiding deity (here, Earth at the death-place).
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: funerary stations
Related Themes: Garuda Purana antyeṣṭi/śrāddha passages on viśrāma, citā, sañcayana and bali to deities/directions; 2.4.50 on Vāstu-devatā and crossroads beings; 2.4.51 on bhūta/sādhaka/preta designations
FAQs
This verse states that the divine presence of the Earth (Bhūmi-devatā) is ‘pleased’ in the death-context—resting the body, arranging the pyre-wood, and collecting remains—indicating these acts are sacred and should be done with ritual care and respect for the ground where death rites occur.
By emphasizing correct handling of the śava (corpse) and the associated rites (pyre preparation and sañcayana), the verse supports the broader Preta Kanda theme that proper funeral procedures aid the transition from death to the post-death state, reducing disorder in the liminal period and aligning actions with dharma.
Treat the death-place and cremation-ground as sacred: handle the body respectfully, follow customary steps for pyre preparation and later collection of remains, and avoid careless or impure conduct—understanding these actions as offerings that honor the Earth’s sanctity.