Shloka 120
Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga
Path to Yama
विचित्रनगरे तत्र विचित्रो नाम पारिथिवः / तत्र षण्मासपिण्डेन तृप्तः सन् व्रजते पुरः
vicitranagare tatra vicitro nāma pārithivaḥ / tatra ṣaṇmāsapiṇḍena tṛptaḥ san vrajate puraḥ
There, in the city called Vicitranagara, a king named Vicitra resides. Having been satisfied by the piṇḍa offering made at the six-month rite, the departed one proceeds onward on the path ahead.
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: ṣaṇmāsika (six-month rite)
Concept: Śrāddha offerings at prescribed times produce specific benefits at corresponding afterlife stations; cosmic administration mirrors moral order.
Vedantic Theme: Ritual action (karma-kāṇḍa) yields definite phala within saṃsāra; dharma sustains both worlds though it is not final liberation.
Application: Observe ṣaṇmāsika śrāddha with proper piṇḍa-dāna; treat rites as time-sensitive support rather than optional custom.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city (nagara) on the preta-path
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: named cities/stations and their rulers; ṣaṇmāsika śrāddha fruit statements; onward progression after satiation
FAQs
This verse states that the departed is 'satisfied' (tṛptaḥ) by the ṣaṇmāsa-piṇḍa, indicating that the six-month śrāddha offering is understood as a sustaining rite that enables the preta to continue its onward journey.
It presents the journey as stage-based: the preta moves through specific locales (like Vicitranagara) and progresses further when supported by prescribed offerings, here explicitly the six-month piṇḍa.
Perform śrāddha and piṇḍa-dāna with care and regularity—especially key milestones such as the six-month rite—while also living responsibly, since the text frames post-death well-being as connected to dharmic observance and family duties.