Shloka 39
Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules
कृत्वा चैकादशाहञ्च पुनः स्नात्वा शुचिर्भवेत् / दद्याद्विप्राय यः शय्यां यथोक्तं प्रेतमोक्षदाम्
kṛtvā caikādaśāhañca punaḥ snātvā śucirbhavet / dadyādviprāya yaḥ śayyāṃ yathoktaṃ pretamokṣadām
ഏകാദശാഹം വിധിപൂർവ്വം നിർവഹിച്ചു വീണ്ടും സ്നാനം ചെയ്ത് ശുചിയാകണം. ശാസ്ത്രോക്തമായി ബ്രാഹ്മണന് ശയ്യ ദാനം ചെയ്യുന്നവൻ പ്രേതത്തിന് മോക്ഷം നൽകുന്നു.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: After completion of ekādaśāha
Concept: Ritual completion plus renewed bathing; prescribed dāna (bed to a brāhmaṇa) yields ‘preta-mokṣa’ (release/relief for the departed).
Vedantic Theme: Karma and dāna as purifiers that support auspicious gati; compassion expressed as ritualized giving.
Application: After ekādaśāha, bathe again; perform the specified dāna carefully (object, recipient, manner) as part of post-death duties.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: gṛha/śrāddha-maṇḍala (ritual area)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: dāna items for preta-śānti (śayyā-dāna, vastra-dāna, anna-dāna) and their stated fruits
FAQs
This verse treats the eleven-day observance as a required completion of post-death rites, after which purification (snāna) and prescribed charity are performed to aid the preta’s release.
It states that giving a properly prescribed bed (śayyā-dāna) to a qualified Brahmin functions as a ritual support that “grants release” to the departed, indicating that specific dānas are considered spiritually efficacious for preta-moksha.
Follow funeral rites with cleanliness and sincerity, and practice purposeful charity—especially prescribed forms of giving—dedicated to the welfare of the departed and the cultivation of dharma in the living.