Shloka 43
Āyuḥ-kṣaya by Vikarma; Impermanence of the Body; Aśauca and Child Śrāddha Procedures; Dāna as Remedy
पुनर्जन्माप्नुयान्मर्त्यस्तस्माद्देयमृते शिशोः / पुराणे गीयते गाथा सर्वथा प्रतिभाति मे
punarjanmāpnuyānmartyastasmāddeyamṛte śiśoḥ / purāṇe gīyate gāthā sarvathā pratibhāti me
മർത്ത്യന് പുനർജന്മം ലഭിക്കാം; അതിനാൽ ശിശുവിന്റെ കാര്യത്തിൽ ഒഴികെ, മരണാനന്തര കൃത്യത്തിനായി വിധിച്ച ദാനം നൽകണം. പുരാണത്തിൽ ഒരു ഗാഥ പാടപ്പെടുന്നു; അത് എനിക്ക് പൂർണ്ണമായി വ്യക്തമാണ്।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Post-death period as prescribed (immediately after death and subsequent days per tradition), with exception for a child
Concept: Post-death giving/offerings are obligatory to support proper transition and to address rebirth-related concerns; dharma includes exceptions (e.g., for a child).
Vedantic Theme: Ritual action as a supportive means within saṃsāra-management; ultimately points beyond ritual to the deeper aim of release, but here emphasizes correct observance.
Application: Follow prescribed bereavement protocols and offerings for the departed; consult tradition/competent guidance for age-based exceptions and local śākhā customs.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha and antyeṣṭi-related instructions, including eligibility/exception rules; Garuda Purana narratives (‘gāthā’) used to authorize ritual norms
FAQs
The verse states that because beings can enter rebirth, the prescribed offering/rite should be performed to support the departed’s transition—treating it as a dharmic obligation rather than an optional act.
It links the human condition to recurring birth (punarjanma) and implies that proper rites (deyam) are part of the post-death framework described in the Purāṇa, guiding the departed through the intermediate state toward an appropriate next destiny.
Follow one’s tradition’s prescribed funeral and śrāddha-related duties with sincerity and clarity, while noting the stated exception regarding a child—seeking guidance from competent family elders or a learned priest for the correct procedure.