Shloka 25

Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga

Path to Yama

Devanagari script

शताञ्जलि यदा पक्षिन्नाद्ये त्रिंशत्तदाहनि / चत्वारिंशद्द्वितीये ऽह्नि त्रिंशदह्नि तृतीयके

Transliteration

śatāñjali yadā pakṣinnādye triṃśattadāhani / catvāriṃśaddvitīye 'hni triṃśadahni tṛtīyake

Translation

O bird (Garuda), when the measure is a hundred añjalis: on the first day it is thirty; on the second day, forty; and on the third day, thirty.

Word by Word

• शताञ्जलि: a hundred handfuls (anjalis)
• शताञ्जलि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; परिमाणवाचक (a set of 100 anjalis)

• यदा: when
• यदा: Sambandha (Temporal connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (when)

• पक्षिन्: O bird (Garuda)
• पक्षिन्: Sambodhana (Vocative/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन

• आद्ये: on the first (day)
• आद्ये: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण-विशेषण

• त्रिंशत्: thirty
• त्रिंशत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रिंशत् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्द; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (numeral qualifier)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Sambandha (Temporal/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (then)

• अहनि: on the day
• अहनि: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• चत्वारिंशत्: forty
• चत्वारिंशत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चत्वारिंशत् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्द; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (numeral qualifier)

• द्वितीये: on the second (day)
• द्वितीये: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण-विशेषण

• अह्नि: on the day
• अह्नि: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• त्रिंशत्: thirty
• त्रिंशत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रिंशत् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्द; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (numeral qualifier)

• अह्नि: on the day
• अह्नि: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• तृतीयके: on the third (day)
• तृतीयके: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तृतीयक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण-विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Three-day distribution within the chosen 100-anjali regimen.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When the regimen is set to one hundred anjalis, distribute them across three days as 30-40-30.

Vedantic Theme: Karma performed with precision becomes a vehicle for inner steadiness and reverence toward lineage (pitṛ-ṛṇa awareness).

Application: If adopting the 100-anjali standard, pre-measure time and water availability; execute 30 on day one, 40 on day two, 30 on day three.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.5.23 on doubling to reach 100; Garuda Purana 2.5.24 on 3-4-3 for the reduced ten

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of the 'hundred añjalis' distribution in Garuda Purana?

This verse gives a precise ritual allocation of a total offering measure (100 añjalis), dividing it into 30–40–30 across three specified days/occasions, emphasizing exactness in śrāddha-related rites.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Preta Kanda?

In the Preta Kanda, prescribed offerings support the preta’s transitional state; this verse contributes by specifying how offerings are portioned over time, reflecting structured ritual care for the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing ancestral rites, follow a qualified priest’s guidance and keep offerings consistent and intentional—this verse highlights discipline and accuracy rather than improvisation in ritual observance.