Shloka 54

Sapindīkaraṇa: Timing, Eligibility, Gotra Rules, and Yearlong Śrāddha

with Vṛṣotsarga and Ghaṭa-dāna

Devanagari script

दिव्यवर्षप्रमाणेन तिस्रः कोट्योर्ऽद्धकोटयः / तावत्कालं वसेत्स्वर्गे नक्षत्रैः सह सर्वदा

Transliteration

divyavarṣapramāṇena tisraḥ koṭyor'ddhakoṭayaḥ / tāvatkālaṃ vasetsvarge nakṣatraiḥ saha sarvadā

Translation

દિવ્ય વર્ષના પ્રમાણથી ત્રણ કરોડ અને અર્ધ કરોડ જેટલો સમય, એટલો જ સમય તે સ્વર્ગમાં વસે છે—સદા નક્ષત્ર દેવતાઓની સંગતમાં.

Word by Word

• दिव्यवर्षप्रमाणेन: by the measure of divine years
• दिव्यवर्षप्रमाणेन: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रमाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—दिव्यवर्षस्य प्रमाणम् इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः, तेन (प्रमाणेन)

• तिस्रः: three
• तिस्रः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषणम्

• कोट्यः: crores
• कोट्यः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अर्धकोटयः: half-crores (i.e., half a crore units)
• अर्धकोटयः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—अर्धा कोटिः इति कर्मधारयः

• तावत्कालम्: for that long a time
• तावत्कालम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तावत् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम-विशेषण) + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—तावान् कालः इति कर्मधारयः

• वसेत्: should dwell
• वसेत्: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• स्वर्गे: in heaven
• स्वर्गे: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण/Locative), एकवचन

• नक्षत्रैः: with the stars/constellations
• नक्षत्रैः: Sahakari (Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• सह: together with
• सह: Sambandha (Association)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्गसदृशः/सह-प्रयोगः (सह = with)

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Kala-adhikarana (Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक-क्रियाविशेषणम् (adverb of time)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Svarga

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Merit yields prolonged heavenly residence proportionate to karmic measure.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala is finite and time-bound even in svarga; enjoyment remains within saṃsāra.

Application: Cultivate dharmic merit while remembering svarga is temporary; aim beyond enjoyment toward lasting liberation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: celestial realm/stellar sphere

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana, Pretakalpa themes on svarga as finite and followed by return to birth; Garuda Purana discussions of divya-varṣa measures and lokas (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Svarga
• Nakshatras

FAQs

What is the importance of measuring time in 'divine years' in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that the fruits of merit (puṇya) are experienced on a cosmic scale; the Garuda Purana often quantifies heavenly enjoyment in divine time to show the vast yet finite nature of svarga.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It indicates that a meritorious soul may attain svarga and remain there for a defined period, enjoying celestial association (here, with the Nakṣatras) until the accumulated puṇya is exhausted.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It encourages ethical living and dharmic action by showing that good karma yields real results, while also reminding that heavenly rewards are temporary—prompting one to pursue lasting spiritual liberation alongside merit.