Shloka 88

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

Devanagari script

प्रविशेयुः समालभ्य कृत्वाश्मनि पदं शनैः / श्रौतेन तु विधानेन आहिताग्निं देहद्वधः

Transliteration

praviśeyuḥ samālabhya kṛtvāśmani padaṃ śanaiḥ / śrautena tu vidhānena āhitāgniṃ dehadvadhaḥ

Translation

Supporting the body and taking footing upon a stone, step by step and slowly, they should proceed into the rite. But for one who has established the sacred fires (āhitāgni), the disposal of the body is to be performed according to the Śrauta (Vedic) procedure.

Word by Word

• प्रविशेयुः: they should enter
• प्रविशेयुः: Kriya (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√viś (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: प्र-

• समालभ्य: having touched/handled
• समालभ्य: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam-ā-√labh (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund), उपसर्ग: सम्-आ-; ‘having touched/handled’

• कृत्वा: having made/placed
• कृत्वा: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund) ‘having made/done’

• अश्मनि: on a stone
• अश्मनि: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

• पदम्: a step/footing
• पदम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• शनैः: slowly
• शनैः: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śanaiḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) ‘slowly/gradually’

• श्रौतेन: according to śruti/śrauta
• श्रौतेन: Karaṇa (Instrument/means)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrauta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘vidhānena’)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Discourse particle
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (contrast/emphasis)

• विधानेन: by the prescribed procedure
• विधानेन: Karaṇa (Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• आहिताग्निम्: one who has established the sacred fires (āhitāgni)
• आहिताग्निम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āhita (कृदन्त/ppp of ā-√dhā) + agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘āhitaḥ agniḥ yasya’ (one who has established the sacred fires)

• देहद्वधः: the destruction of the body (funeral act)
• देहद्वधः: Karta (Subject) / Topic noun
• Type: Noun
• Root: deha (प्रातिपदिक) + vadh(a) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सम्बन्ध) ‘dehasya vadhaḥ’ = destruction of the body; (contextually: the body’s destruction/cremation rite)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: deceased (preta-to-be)

Timing: during antyeṣṭi approach/commencement

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Adherence to proper procedure (vidhi) and differentiation of rites by adhikāra (āhitāgni vs others).

Vedantic Theme: Svadharma and niyata-karma: right performance according to one’s consecrations and vows.

Application: Proceed carefully and respectfully in funerary handling; if the deceased was an āhitāgni, follow Śrauta prescriptions rather than simplified local practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: pathway to cremation/ritual ground; stone footing

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4 context on antyeṣṭi handling and procedural distinctions

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Agni
• Shruti
• Ahitagni

FAQs

What is the importance of the Śrauta method mentioned in this verse of the Garuda Purana?

It indicates that for an āhitāgni (a householder who has established sacred fires), the funeral/body-disposal rites must follow formal Śrauta prescriptions rather than only simpler domestic (smārta) procedures.

How does this verse relate to the journey after death in the Garuda Purana narrative?

It sets the correct ritual framework at the time of death—proper handling and prescribed rites—which the Garuda Purana treats as crucial supports for the departed being’s post-death transition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow the appropriate rite based on the deceased’s vows and tradition: if sacred-fire vows/Śrauta commitments were maintained, consult qualified priests for Śrauta compliance; otherwise, perform the prescribed funeral rites carefully and respectfully.