Shloka 49

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

Devanagari script

गण्डौ वक्त्रं तथा ग्रीवा तृतीये ऽहनि जायते / हृदयं कुक्षिरुदरं चतुर्थे तद्वदेव हि

Transliteration

gaṇḍau vaktraṃ tathā grīvā tṛtīye 'hani jāyate / hṛdayaṃ kukṣirudaraṃ caturthe tadvadeva hi

Translation

മൂന്നാം ദിവസം കവിളുകൾ, മുഖം, കഴുത്ത് (ഗ്രീവ) എന്നിവ ഉദ്ഭവിക്കുന്നു. നാലാം ദിവസം അതുപോലെ ഹൃദയം, കുക്ഷി-പ്രദേശം, ഉദരവും ജനിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• gaṇḍau: (two) cheeks
• gaṇḍau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual

• vaktram: mouth/face
• vaktram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaktra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tathā: also/likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• grīvā: neck
• grīvā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: grīvā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tṛtīye: on the third
• tṛtīye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tṛtīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; ordinal adjective with 'ahani'

• ahani: day
• ahani: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ahan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• jāyate: is formed/arises
• jāyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jan (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्), Present, Ātmanepada; 3rd Person, Singular; 'is born/comes into being'

• hṛdayam: heart
• hṛdayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hṛdaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• kukṣiḥ: belly/abdomen
• kukṣiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kukṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• udaram: stomach/belly
• udaram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: udara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• caturthe: on the fourth
• caturthe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: caturtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; ordinal adjective (elliptic 'ahani')

• tadvat: likewise
• tadvat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadvat (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययवत्-प्रयोग)
• Form: Adverbial usage meaning 'in that manner/likewise' (तद्वत् इति अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोग)

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निश्चय/अवधारण)

• hi: for/indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (हेतु/निपात)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Day 3–4 after death

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual offerings correspond to progressive formation of bodily parts, implying a moral duty to complete the sequence.

Vedantic Theme: Embodiment as karma-conditioned; rites function within the empirical order to relieve suffering and support transition.

Application: Observe the third and fourth day offerings with steadiness, treating the rite as care for the departed’s vital formation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34.48–52 (continuous day-wise mapping)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of fetal development descriptions in Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the body as a progressively formed instrument, supporting the Purana’s broader teaching that the jīva (soul) and subtle body persist beyond death while the physical body is contingent and temporary.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By emphasizing the step-by-step construction of the physical frame, it implicitly contrasts the perishable body with the continuing subtle principle discussed in Preta Kanda, where post-death states and rites are addressed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate detachment and ethical living: recognizing the body as transient encourages dharma, compassion, and mindful preparation for end-of-life rites and responsibilities.