Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

स्थापयित्वा चिताभूमौ पूर्वोक्तं श्राद्धमाचरेत् / तृणकाष्ठतिलाज्यादि स्वयं निन्युः सुतादयः

Transliteration

sthāpayitvā citābhūmau pūrvoktaṃ śrāddhamācaret / tṛṇakāṣṭhatilājyādi svayaṃ ninyuḥ sutādayaḥ

Translation

Having arranged the pyre-ground at the cremation place, one should perform the previously described śrāddha. The sons and other relatives themselves should bring the grass, firewood, sesame, ghee, and related items.

Word by Word

• स्थापयित्वा: having placed
• स्थापयित्वा: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्था (धातु) (णिच्) + क्त्वा (अव्यय-कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), causative sense; ‘having placed/established’

• चिताभूमौ: on the pyre-ground
• चिताभूमौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चिता (प्रातिपदिक) + भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; समासः—चितायाः भूमिः (on the cremation-ground/pyre-site)

• पूर्वोक्तम्: previously mentioned
• पूर्वोक्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्वोक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; श्राद्धम् इति विशेषणम्

• श्राद्धम्: śrāddha rite
• श्राद्धम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आचरेत्: should perform
• आचरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधि), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• तृणकाष्ठतिलाज्यादि: grass, wood, sesame, ghee, etc.
• तृणकाष्ठतिलाज्यादि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृण (प्रातिपदिक) + काष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + तिल (प्रातिपदिक) + आज्य (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (a collection: grass, wood, sesame, ghee, etc.)

• स्वयम्: themselves
• स्वयम्: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), ‘by oneself’

• निन्युः: they carried/brought
• निन्युः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्ष), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन

• सुतादयः: sons and others
• सुतादयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—सुताः आदयः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: At the cremation-ground, before/around pyre preparation

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: At the pyre-site, perform the prescribed śrāddha; sons/relatives personally procure the ritual materials—duty is embodied, not delegated.

Vedantic Theme: Kartavya-buddhi (sense of duty) purifies; recognition of deha-anta (end of body) supports vairāgya.

Application: Before cremation, arrange the pyre area properly; perform the stated śrāddha; ensure family members bring darbha, fuel, sesame, ghee and necessary items.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: cremation-ground

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4: cremation-ground procedures and repeated 'pūrvokta' śrāddha references

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Preta

FAQs

What is the importance of performing śrāddha at the cremation-ground in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links the cremation setting (citābhūmi) with the immediate śrāddha procedure, emphasizing timely, correct ritual action as part of preta-kritya (duties for the departed).

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

By prescribing śrāddha right at the cremation context, it implies that ritual support begins immediately after death, which in the Preta Kanda framework is meant to aid the departed (preta) in the transitional journey and welfare.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If following tradition, ensure rites are done promptly and responsibly: family members—especially sons/close kin—should personally arrange essential materials and perform the prescribed śrāddha with sincerity and care.