Shloka 26
The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body
पूर्वकाले मृतानाञ्च प्राणिनाञ्च खगेश्वर / सूक्ष्मोभूत्वा त्वसौ वायुर्निर्गच्छत्यास्यमण्डलात्
pūrvakāle mṛtānāñca prāṇināñca khageśvara / sūkṣmobhūtvā tvasau vāyurnirgacchatyāsyamaṇḍalāt
હે ખગેશ્વર ગરુડ! પૂર્વકાળે મૃત તથા જીવિત પ્રાણીઓ માટે એ જ પ્રાણવાયુ સૂક્ષ્મ બની મુખમંડળમાંથી નીકળી જાય છે।
Lord Vishnu
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Prāṇa (vāyu) becomes subtle and exits the body, indicating the separation of life-force from the gross frame.
Vedantic Theme: Distinction of sūkṣma and sthūla; the body as an instrument, not the Self.
Application: Contemplate impermanence; cultivate prāṇa-awareness and detachment, and support a calm dying environment (śānti, mantra, steady breath).
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: body-gate (dvāra)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: descriptions of prāṇa departure and body-gates in the death process (adjacent verses in 2.31)
FAQs
This verse highlights that at the time of death the life-wind withdraws from gross function and becomes subtle, marking the transition from embodied life toward the post-death (preta) state.
By stating that vāyu exits through the mouth-region after becoming subtle, it indicates the initial moment of separation from the body, a key step before the jīva proceeds with its subtle coverings toward Yama’s path described later in the Preta Kanda.
It encourages mindful preparation for death—living with dharma, keeping remembrance of the divine, and supporting proper last rites—since the departure of prāṇa signals the start of the soul’s onward journey.