Shloka 87

An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body

Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā

Devanagari script

तिलान् गोमयलिप्तायां भूमौ तत्र निवेशयेत्

Transliteration

tilān gomayaliptāyāṃ bhūmau tatra niveśayet

Translation

ഗോമയം ലേപിച്ച നിലത്തിൽ അവിടെ എള്ള് സ്ഥാപിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• तिलान्: sesame seeds
• तिलान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• गोमयलिप्तायाम्: on (ground) smeared with cow-dung
• गोमयलिप्तायाम्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गोमय (प्रातिपदिक) + लिप्त (प्रातिपदिक; लिप् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; विशेषण (smeared with cow-dung) भूमौ इति विशेष्ये

• भूमौ: on the ground
• भूमौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (adverb of place)

• निवेशयेत्: should place/arrange
• निवेशयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + विश् (धातु) णिच् (causative)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; णिजन्त (cause to place)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Immediately at the approach of death / pre-antyeṣṭi preparation

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pitṛ-oriented sanctification: placing tila on gomaya-smeared earth as a protective, purificatory, and pitṛ-pleasing measure at the death threshold.

Vedantic Theme: Karma and saṃskāra: small prescribed acts shape the subtle disposition and communal dharmic order around death.

Application: Prepare the ritual surface (clean, sanctified); use sesame as per tradition in death-related rites; keep materials ready and handled respectfully.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: smeared ritual floor/altar area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.32.85–86 (preceding purification and darbha arrangement)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of sesame (tilā) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse prescribes placing sesame seeds as part of rite-procedure; tilā is treated as a purificatory and śrāddha-associated substance used to support offerings connected with post-death observances.

How does this verse connect to the journey of the soul (preta) in the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda context, correct ritual steps are taught to aid orderly post-death rites; this instruction is one small procedural element within those observances intended to support the departed’s transition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing traditional śrāddha/antyeṣṭi rites, follow the prescribed purity and placement rules under guidance of a qualified priest; more broadly, it emphasizes careful, respectful observance of dharmic duties for ancestors.