Shloka 12

The Extent of Questions: Deathbed Rites, Kāla (Time), and Karma-Vipāka Rebirths

Devanagari script

नित्यहोमस्तथा श्राद्धं पादशौचं द्विजे तथा / मण्डलेन विना भूम्यामातुरो मुच्यते न हि

Transliteration

nityahomastathā śrāddhaṃ pādaśaucaṃ dvije tathā / maṇḍalena vinā bhūmyāmāturo mucyate na hi

Translation

ദ്വിജന് നിത്യഹോമം, ശ്രാദ്ധം, പാദശൗചം എന്നിവ കർത്തവ്യങ്ങളാണ്; എന്നാൽ ഭൂമിയിൽ മണ്ഡലം സ്ഥാപിക്കാതെ രോഗിയോ മരണമാസന്നനോ യഥാർത്ഥത്തിൽ മോചിതനാകുന്നില്ല.

Word by Word

• नित्यहोमः: daily homa
• नित्यहोमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नित्य + होम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन = Masc. Nom. Sg.; ‘daily oblation’

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण) = ‘thus/also’

• श्राद्धम्: śrāddha rite
• श्राद्धम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन = Neuter Nom./Acc. Sg. (ritual noun)

• पादशौचम्: washing of the feet
• पादशौचम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद + शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/सम्बन्ध): पादस्य शौचम्; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन = Neut. Nom./Acc. Sg.

• द्विजे: for a twice-born (brāhmaṇa etc.)
• द्विजे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन = Masculine, Locative, Singular (‘in/for a twice-born’)

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय/क्रियाविशेषण) = ‘also’

• मण्डलेन: by/with a maṇḍala (ritual circle)
• मण्डलेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन = Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• विना: without
• विना: Sambandha (Preposition/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (उपपद) = preposition-like indeclinable ‘without’ (governs instrumental)

• भूम्याम्: on the ground
• भूम्याम्: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन = Feminine, Locative, Singular

• आतुरः: the sick/distressed person
• आतुरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आतुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन = Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• मुच्यते: is freed
• मुच्यते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद (कर्मणि-प्रयोग) = Present indicative, 3rd sg, Ātmanepada, passive sense (‘is released’)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (निषेध) = ‘not’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात) = ‘indeed’

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: nitya/occasional as prescribed; emphasized at times of illness and impending death

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even with daily homa, śrāddha, and foot-washing duties, the afflicted is not freed from binding distress without placement within a consecrated mandala.

Vedantic Theme: Kriyā (ritual action) as upāya for removing obstacles (pratibandha) at liminal moments; ordered space supports ordered mind.

Application: When illness is severe or death is near, establish a consecrated mandala on the ground and place/seat the person within its protection while performing appropriate rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: ritual enclosure

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.2.13 (deities present in mandala); Garuda Purana 2.2.11 (threats when unprotected)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Dwijas

FAQs

What is the importance of the maṇḍala for the dying person in Garuda Purana?

This verse states that even if daily homa, śrāddha, and purification are performed, placing the ailing person within a consecrated maṇḍala on the ground is essential for their proper ‘release’—i.e., ritual protection and easing of binding distress at the threshold of death.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s passage after death in the Garuda Purana?

By emphasizing correct ritual setting (maṇḍala) along with śrāddha and purification, the verse implies that orderly rites help stabilize the transition state, reducing obstacles and fear as one approaches the post-death journey described in the Preta Kanda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain core duties (purity, prayer/offerings, and remembrance of ancestors), and when caring for the dying, create a clean, sanctified space with simple ritual order—prioritizing calmness, cleanliness, and reverence.