Shloka 24

Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules

Devanagari script

यवांश्च सर्षपान् दूर्वाः पूर्णपात्रे विलोकयेत् / प्राशयेन्निम्बपत्राणि स्नेहस्नानं समाचरेत्

Transliteration

yavāṃśca sarṣapān dūrvāḥ pūrṇapātre vilokayet / prāśayennimbapatrāṇi snehasnānaṃ samācaret

Translation

നിറഞ്ഞ പാത്രത്തിൽ വെച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന യവം, കടുക്, ദൂർവ പുല്ല് എന്നിവ ദർശിക്കണം. വേപ്പില പ്രാശനം ചെയ്യിച്ച് വിധിപൂർവ്വം എണ്ണസ്നാനം ആചരിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• यवान्: barley grains
• यवान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सर्षपान्: mustard seeds
• सर्षपान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्षप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• दूर्वाः: dūrvā grass
• दूर्वाः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूर्वा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• पूर्णपात्रे: in a full vessel
• पूर्णपात्रे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्ण + पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (पूर्णं पात्रम्)

• विलोकयेत्: should look at/inspect
• विलोकयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + लोक् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी

• प्राशयेत्: should make (someone) eat
• प्राशयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + अश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी; णिच्-अर्थे (to cause to eat)

• निम्बपत्राणि: neem leaves
• निम्बपत्राणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निम्ब + पत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (निम्बस्य पत्राणि)

• स्नेहस्नानम्: oil-bath
• स्नेहस्नानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नेह + स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (स्नेहेन स्नानम् / स्नेहस्य स्नानम्)

• समाचरेत्: should perform/practice
• समाचरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Post-rite purification / during aśauca management days

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual and bodily purification as supports for mental steadiness and dharmic continuity after death-related impurity.

Vedantic Theme: Śarīra as an instrument (sādhana) requiring purification for right remembrance and right action.

Application: Use traditional purifiers (barley, mustard, dūrvā) as auspicious sights; take bitter neem for cleansing; perform oil-bath to restore balance and remove ritual/psychic heaviness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: household ritual area/bathing place

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha/śauca passages prescribing purificatory dravya and snāna after contact with aśauca

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Ritual items (yava, sarshapa, durva, nimba)

FAQs

What is the importance of using barley, mustard, and dūrvā in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse presents them as auspicious, purificatory ritual substances to be placed in a filled vessel and ritually viewed, supporting cleansing and right observance in death-related rites.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s guidance on post-death observances?

It gives practical ritual instructions—auspicious viewing of specific items, ingesting neem leaves, and performing an oil-bath—typical of the Preta Kanda’s focus on purification and correct procedure around death rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It emphasizes disciplined purification: keep rituals orderly, use traditionally purifying substances with intention, and maintain bodily cleanliness (e.g., a proper bath) as part of dharmic observance.