Shloka 20
Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga
Path to Yama
प्रथमे ऽहनि यो दद्यात्स दशाहं समापयेत् / शालिना सक्तुभिर्वापि शाकैर्वाप्यथ निर्वपेत्
prathame 'hani yo dadyātsa daśāhaṃ samāpayet / śālinā saktubhirvāpi śākairvāpyatha nirvapet
Whoever makes an offering on the very first day completes the observance of the ten-day rites (daśāha). He may offer with rice, or with saktu (parched grain-flour), or he may also set out cooked vegetables as the oblation.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Day one initiation within the daśāha (ten-day) observance.
Concept: Timely initiation fulfills the ten-day observance; dharma allows material alternatives while preserving intent and continuity.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga principle: sincerity and steadiness outweigh luxury of materials; adaptability without abandoning duty.
Application: If ideal materials are unavailable, use permitted substitutes; prioritize starting promptly and maintaining the observance.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: domestic ritual space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.5.21 (continuity of the same substance across daśāha; daily measure)
FAQs
This verse states that giving the offering on the first day is considered sufficient to fulfill the ten-day (daśāha) observance, emphasizing prompt performance of post-death rites.
The verse allows offerings using rice (śāli), saktu (parched grain/flour), or vegetables/greens (śāka) as acceptable substances for the oblation.
If full ritual arrangements are difficult, the teaching highlights sincerity and timely action—performing an early, simple, sattvic offering with available pure foods while maintaining remembrance and duty toward the departed.