Shloka 72

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

Devanagari script

कुरुध्वमित्येव वदेच्छतवर्षावरे मृते / पुत्राद्या वृद्धपूर्वास्ते एकवस्त्राः शिखां विना

Transliteration

kurudhvamityeva vadecchatavarṣāvare mṛte / putrādyā vṛddhapūrvāste ekavastrāḥ śikhāṃ vinā

Translation

When one dies after completing a hundred years, one should simply say, “Perform the rites.” Then the sons and other kin—beginning with the eldest—should undertake the observances wearing a single garment and without the śikhā (tuft of hair).

Word by Word

• कुरुध्वम्: do (you all)
• कुरुध्वम्: Pravartaka (Injunctive/command)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), बहुवचन (Plural); परस्मैपदम्

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/इत्यर्थक अव्यय (quotative particle)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारण अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• वदेत्: should say
• वदेत्: Karta (Subject implied: he should)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); परस्मैपदम्

• शतवर्षावरे: in one who is under a hundred years (of age)
• शतवर्षावरे: Adhikarana (Locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शत-वर्ष-अवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: शत + वर्ष + अवर (≤100 years); पुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• मृते: when (he) has died
• मृते: Adhikarana (Locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृत (कृदन्त; √मृ धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• पुत्राद्याः: sons and others
• पुत्राद्याः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: पुत्र + आदि (sons and others); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वृद्धपूर्वाः: with the elders first
• वृद्धपूर्वाः: Visheshana (Qualifier of पुत्राद्याः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृद्ध-पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: वृद्धः पूर्वः (elder first/elders in front); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम; प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• एकवस्त्राः: wearing a single garment
• एकवस्त्राः: Visheshana (Qualifier of ते/पुत्राद्याः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक-वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: एकं वस्त्रम् (having one garment); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• शिखाम्: topknot
• शिखाम्: Karma (Object with विनाः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• विना: without
• विना: Nishedha/Sambandha (Exclusion)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: अपादानार्थक/वियोगार्थक अव्यय (preposition: without)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Immediately upon death (special mention: death after completing 100 years).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Antyeṣṭi and post-death observances are to be undertaken promptly and with austerity; exceptional protocol for death after a full lifespan.

Vedantic Theme: Anityatā (impermanence) and vairāgya expressed through simplified, restrained conduct.

Application: In bereavement, prioritize timely rites and disciplined simplicity; reduce display and maintain ritual focus.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: antyeṣṭi-vidhi and śrāddha preliminaries (adjacent verses in 2.4); Garuda Purana: prācīnāvīta, mauna, tila-jala offerings in subsequent verses 2.4.73–76

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Relatives (sons/kin)

FAQs

What is the importance of special rules when someone dies after completing 100 years in the Garuda Purana?

This verse indicates a distinct, simplified instruction—“perform the rites”—and specifies a particular mode of observance for the family, marking the death of a centenarian as ritually distinguished.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death (preta state)?

By directing immediate performance of the prescribed rites by the family, the verse supports the broader Preta Kanda framework where correct post-death observances aid the departed’s transition and reduce impediments in the post-mortem journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow the appropriate funeral and post-funeral rites as guided by one’s tradition and qualified priests, and maintain disciplined, simple mourning conduct—prioritizing timely ritual duty and respectful restraint.