Shloka 69

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

Devanagari script

प्रेतपिण्डं प्रदद्याच्च दाहार्तिशमनं खग / ततः प्रदक्षिणं कृक्त्वा चिताप्रस्थानवीक्षकाः

Transliteration

pretapiṇḍaṃ pradadyācca dāhārtiśamanaṃ khaga / tataḥ pradakṣiṇaṃ kṛktvā citāprasthānavīkṣakāḥ

Translation

O Bird (Garuda), one should offer the preta-piṇḍa, which alleviates the suffering caused by the burning of the funeral pyre. Then, having circumambulated in the auspicious direction, they should depart while looking toward the place where the pyre is set forth.

Word by Word

• प्रेतपिण्डम्: funeral rice-ball for the departed
• प्रेतपिण्डम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेत + पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक; प्रेत-पिण्ड)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘प्रेतस्य पिण्डः’ (rice-ball for the departed)

• प्रदद्यात्: should give/offer
• प्रदद्यात्: Kriya (Predicate verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-निपात (conjunction), अव्यय

• दाहार्तिशमनम्: alleviating the pain of burning
• दाहार्तिशमनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier of प्रेतपिण्डम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दाह + आर्ति + शमन (प्रातिपदिक; दाह-आर्ति-शमन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्—‘दाहजन्य-आर्तेः शमनम्’ (that which pacifies the pain of burning)

• खग: O bird (Garuda)
• खग: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-viseshana (Temporal adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रमवाचक (then)

• प्रदक्षिणम्: circumambulation (clockwise)
• प्रदक्षिणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रदक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; ‘प्रदक्षिणा’ कर्म (circumambulation)

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Kriya (Gerundial action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + क्त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल (having done)

• चिताप्रस्थानवीक्षकाः: those who watch the departure from the pyre
• चिताप्रस्थानवीक्षकाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चिता + प्रस्थान + वीक्षक (प्रातिपदिक; चिता-प्रस्थान-वीक्षक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/उपपद-समासार्थः—‘चितायाः प्रस्थानं ये वीक्षन्ते’ (those who watch the departure from the pyre)

Speaker

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

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: At/near the cremation (dāha) stage as a preta-śānti measure, before leaving the pyre site.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Preta-piṇḍa is a remedial rite (upacāra) that mitigates suffering linked to the cremation process; pradakṣiṇā and disciplined departure complete the karmic duty.

Vedantic Theme: Compassionate action within saṃskāra supports order (ṛta/dharma) while acknowledging the jīva’s continuity beyond the body.

Application: Offer the prescribed preta-piṇḍa with intent to soothe; circumambulate in auspicious direction; depart without disorder, maintaining ritual focus.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: funeral pyre site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: preta-piṇḍa and its role in easing preta-vedanā; Garuda Purana: instructions on pradakṣiṇā and conduct when leaving the citā

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Preta

FAQs

What is the importance of preta-piṇḍa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that offering the preta-piṇḍa specifically helps pacify the departed’s distress associated with cremation, making it a key element of post-death rites.

How does this verse explain the journey or condition of the soul after death?

By referencing the 'preta' and the relief of 'burning anguish,' the verse reflects the Garuda Purana view that the departed may experience a transitional state where ritual support (piṇḍa) aids comfort and onward passage.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform funeral rites with care and intention: offer the prescribed piṇḍa and complete the respectful pradakṣiṇā, treating the process as an act of compassion and dharma toward the departed.