Shloka 15

The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body

Devanagari script

भोजना नि तिलांश्चैव उदकुम्भांस्त्रयोदश / मुद्रिकां वस्त्रयुग्मञ्च तया याति परां गतिम्

Transliteration

bhojanā ni tilāṃścaiva udakumbhāṃstrayodaśa / mudrikāṃ vastrayugmañca tayā yāti parāṃ gatim

Translation

ભોજનદાન, તલ, તેર જળકુંભ, મુદ્રિકા (દક્ષિણા) અને વસ્ત્રયુગ્મ—આ વિધિદાનોથી પ્રેત પરમ ગતિને પામે છે.

Word by Word

• bhojanāni: foods/meal-offerings
• bhojanāni: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhojana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Neuter, Nom./Acc., Plural

• tilān: sesame seeds
• tilān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• eva: indeed/also
• eva: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• udaka-kumbhān: water-pots
• udaka-kumbhān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: udaka (प्रातिपदिक) + kumbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Masculine, Accusative, Plural; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-समास (उदकस्य कुम्भाः)

• trayodaśa: thirteen
• trayodaśa: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: trayodaśa (प्रातिपदिक; संख्याशब्द)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याप्रयोगः; ‘udaka-kumbhān’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम् — Numeral used as qualifier (thirteen)

• mudrikām: a ring/seal-ring
• mudrikām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mudrikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• vastra-yugmam: a pair of garments
• vastra-yugmam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vastra (प्रातिपदिक) + yugma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (वस्त्रयोः युग्मम्)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• tayā: by that (gift/act)
• tayā: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Feminine, Instrumental, Singular; सर्वनाम

• yāti: goes/attains
• yāti: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yā (या) (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद — Present Indicative, 3rd person, Singular

• parām: highest/supreme
• parām: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Feminine, Accusative, Singular; ‘gatim’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• gatim: state/goal/destination
• gatim: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Feminine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Śrāddha period for the departed; can be integrated into annual śrāddha with prescribed gifts and dakṣiṇā.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Combined śrāddha gifts—food, sesame, multiple water-pots, dakṣiṇā/coin, and garments—produce an ‘excellent passage’ (parā gati) for the departed.

Vedantic Theme: Karma as a vehicle shaping post-mortem trajectory; ritualized generosity as purification of bonds and debts.

Application: In śrāddha, include anna-dāna, tila usage (as per tradition), water charity, dakṣiṇā, and clothing donation; adapt counts symbolically if needed while keeping intent.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.31.11–14: preceding rationale and itemization; broader Pretakalpa on tila, udaka, vastra, dakṣiṇā in śrāddha.

Characters & Entities

• Preta (departed soul)

FAQs

What is the importance of thirteen water-pots (trayodaśa udakumbha) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse presents thirteen water-pots as a specific, counted gift within post-death rites; such dāna is described as aiding the departed’s onward passage and securing an auspicious state (parā gati).

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

It emphasizes that the preta’s journey is supported not only by prayers but also by tangible ritual gifts—food, til, water, clothing, and dakṣiṇā—performed as prescribed, which collectively help the departed attain a higher, safer transition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform bereavement rites with sincerity and ethical clarity: offer food and water in remembrance, give charity (especially essentials like clothing), and ensure any ritual giving is done respectfully and without exploitation.