Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

विष्णुलोके स वै याति मन्त्रहीनो ऽपि मानवः / तूलीं कृत्वा कृतौ पादौ संस्थितौ क्षितिपृष्ठतः

Transliteration

viṣṇuloke sa vai yāti mantrahīno 'pi mānavaḥ / tūlīṃ kṛtvā kṛtau pādau saṃsthitau kṣitipṛṣṭhataḥ

Translation

ആ മനുഷ്യൻ മന്ത്രമില്ലെങ്കിലും വിഷ്ണുലോകത്തിലേക്ക് പോകുന്നു—തൂലി ഒരുക്കി, ഇരുപാദങ്ങളും അതിന്മേൽ വെച്ച്, ഭൂമിപൃഷ്ഠത്തിൽ നിലകൊണ്ട്.

Word by Word

• विष्णुलोके: to/in Vishnu’s world
• विष्णुलोके: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (विष्णोः लोकः) (Loc. sg. masc.)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Nom. sg. masc.)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (particle: indeed)

• याति: goes
• याति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (Present, 3rd sg.)

• मन्त्रहीनः: without mantra
• मन्त्रहीनः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्त्र + हीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थ (मन्त्रेण हीनः / मन्त्रस्य हीनः) (Nom. sg. masc.)

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अप्यर्थक-अव्यय (particle: even/also)

• मानवः: a man, human
• मानवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Nom. sg. masc.)

• तूलीम्: a cushion/pad
• तूलीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तूली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Acc. sg. fem.)

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √कृ (धातु) + त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive)

• कृतौ: placed/made
• कृतौ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकाले क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन (past participle; nom. dual masc.)

• पादौ: (his) two feet
• पादौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन (Nom. dual masc.)

• संस्थितौ: standing/positioned
• संस्थितौ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + √स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकाले क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन (past participle; nom. dual masc.)

• क्षितिपृष्ठतः: on the earth’s surface
• क्षितिपृष्ठतः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्षिति + पृष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; पञ्चमी-अर्थे अव्यय (ablatival adverb: from/on the surface of the earth)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Moksha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even without mantra, a person may attain Viṣṇu’s realm through a prescribed, faith-infused death/transition arrangement—suggesting primacy of devotion and proper saṃskāra over technicality.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha and śaraṇāgati; external forms support inner orientation; bhakti can supersede ritual deficiency when aligned with dharma.

Application: In constrained circumstances (no priest/mantras), maintain essential sanctity: prepare a clean support (tūlī), orient the body/feet as instructed, and cultivate Viṣṇu-smṛti and surrender.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual spot/threshold

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: efficacy of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa and simple upāyas at death; Garuda Purana: discussions where mantra absence is mitigated by devotion/śraddhā and correct procedure

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Mantra

FAQs

What is the importance of mantra in Garuda Purana death rituals according to this verse?

This verse emphasizes that the soul’s auspicious destination (Viṣṇu-loka) is not blocked solely by the absence of mantra-recitation; sincere, correct intent and basic rite/observance can still bear spiritual fruit.

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

By stating that one can reach Viṣṇu’s realm even “mantra-less,” the verse highlights divine grace and the efficacy of essential dharmic observance, suggesting the soul’s journey is supported by devotion and right conduct, not only technical ritual perfection.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not abandon essential last rites or devotional remembrance due to lack of priestly support or perfect chanting—perform what is possible with reverence, cleanliness, and sincere remembrance of Viṣṇu.