Shloka 13
Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules
प्रथमे ऽह्नि द्वितीये च तृतीये च तथा खग / आकाशस्थं पिबेद्दुग्धं प्रेतो वायुवपुर्धरः
prathame 'hni dvitīye ca tṛtīye ca tathā khaga / ākāśasthaṃ pibeddugdhaṃ preto vāyuvapurdharaḥ
ഹേ ഖഗ (ഗരുഡാ)! ഒന്നാം, രണ്ടാം, മൂന്നാം ദിവസങ്ങളിലും വായുവിനെപ്പോലുള്ള സൂക്ഷ്മദേഹം ധരിച്ച പ്രേതൻ ആകാശത്തിൽ വെച്ച പാൽ പാനം ചെയ്യുന്നു.
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Days 1–3 after death
Concept: The preta with a vāyu-like subtle body is sustained through properly directed offerings in the immediate days after death.
Vedantic Theme: Sūkṣma-śarīra and post-mortem continuity under karma; dharma as compassionate duty toward the departed.
Application: Perform early-day post-death offerings with correct intention and placement, understanding the rite as support for the departed’s transitional state.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: ritual-space (aerial offering)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: early preta-nourishment through offerings (milk/water/piṇḍa) in the first days; Garuda Purana: descriptions of sūkṣma-śarīra and preta’s dependence on śrāddha/udaka
FAQs
This verse states that in the first three days the preta, having a subtle wind-like body, is sustained by drinking milk offered in the open space—indicating an early post-death rite meant to support the departed during the initial preta phase.
It describes the departed as a preta with a vāyuvapu (wind-like subtle body), implying a non-gross embodiment that receives sustenance through ritual offerings rather than ordinary physical food.
It encourages timely, sincere post-death observances (as per one’s tradition) and reminds the living to act with dharma and compassion, recognizing the vulnerability of the departed in the immediate after-death period.