Shloka 75
Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga
Path to Yama
अक्षय्यममुकस्येति वक्तव्यं विरतौ तथा / एकोद्दिष्टं मे निबोध चेत्थमावत्सरं स्मृतम्
akṣayyamamukasyeti vaktavyaṃ viratau tathā / ekoddiṣṭaṃ me nibodha cetthamāvatsaraṃ smṛtam
At the concluding rite as well, one should say: “May this be imperishable for such-and-such (amuka, the departed).” Now listen from me about the Ekoddiṣṭa; in this manner the annual (āvatsara) śrāddha is prescribed.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Concluding portion of the rite; also frames the annual (āvatsara) śrāddha prescription.
Concept: Ritual speech-act (vāk) seals the offering: declaring ‘akṣayya’ intends enduring merit/benefit for the named departed; ekoddiṣṭa is the operative procedure for annual śrāddha.
Vedantic Theme: Saṅkalpa and mantra as intentional vectors of karma; continuity of duty (nitya/naimittika) toward pitṛs.
Application: At the rite’s conclusion, explicitly dedicate the act to the departed by name with an ‘imperishable’ intention; observe annual śrāddha per ekoddiṣṭa rules.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: household/śrāddha venue
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.5.76: post-sapiṇḍīkaraṇa śrāddhas via ekoddiṣṭa; earlier verses on piṇḍa and procedure
FAQs
Ekoddiṣṭa is the focused śrāddha meant for one specifically named departed, and this verse highlights its formal framing and its link to the annual śrāddha tradition.
By emphasizing offerings and words directed to a named departed, the verse reflects the Garuda Purana’s view that post-death rites support the preta’s onward journey and stabilization toward the pitṛ state through correctly performed śrāddha.
When performing remembrance rites, be intentional: dedicate the act clearly to the departed by name and cultivate the intention of “akṣayya” (enduring benefit) through sincere, dharmic observance.