Shloka 71
Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths
परिधाय पुनस्तच्च ब्रृयुस्तं पुरुषं प्रति / उदकं तु करिष्यामः सचैलं पुरुषास्ततः
paridhāya punastacca brṛyustaṃ puruṣaṃ prati / udakaṃ tu kariṣyāmaḥ sacailaṃ puruṣāstataḥ
Having clothed him again with that garment, those men should then say to that person: “Now we shall perform the water-offering (udaka)”; and thereafter they should proceed, keeping the cloth as part of the rite.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: After bathing/purification, immediately before/at the udaka offering step.
Concept: Ritual efficacy is maintained through correct sequence: re-clothing, explicit sankalpa-like declaration, and udaka offering performed ‘sacaila’ (with cloth) as prescribed.
Vedantic Theme: Saṃskāra as ordered action; vāṅ-mātra (speech) and saṅkalpa align mind and deed, supporting dharmic completion.
Application: Follow the sequence precisely: re-don the garment, state the intention to perform udaka, and proceed with the cloth as required by the rite.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: water-body/ritual bank
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: udaka-dāna/tilodaka procedures following cremation and bathing; Garuda Purana: conduct and speech prescriptions (what to say/do) during post-antyeṣṭi rites
FAQs
This verse treats udaka as a defined step in the funeral sequence—performed after re-clothing/arranging the person, indicating ritual order and intention before the offering is made.
By prescribing precise rites (like udaka), the text implies that proper ritual support is offered to the departed at the transition stage associated with the preta-condition and onward journey.
Follow a clear, respectful sequence in last rites—announce the act, keep the rite’s items (like cloth) properly, and perform water-offerings with attention and reverence under competent guidance.