Shloka 76

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

Devanagari script

पार्श्वेषु स्थापयेच्छक्त्या सप्तधान्यानि चैवहि / शयनस्थस्य भवति यच्चान्यदुपकारकम्

Transliteration

pārśveṣu sthāpayecchaktyā saptadhānyāni caivahi / śayanasthasya bhavati yaccānyadupakārakam

Translation

ശക്തിയനുസരിച്ച് ഇരുവശങ്ങളിലും ഏഴ് തരത്തിലുള്ള ധാന്യങ്ങൾ സ്ഥാപിക്കണം; ശയ്യയിൽ കിടക്കുന്ന (പ്രേത/മൃത)നു ഉപകാരകരമായ മറ്റെല്ലാം കൂടി നൽകണം।

Word by Word

• pārśveṣu: at the sides
• pārśveṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th), Plural; ‘at the sides’

• sthāpayet: should place
• sthāpayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular; causative (णिच्) sense ‘should place’

• śaktyā: with (one’s) capacity
• śaktyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular; adverbial ‘with ability/as possible’

• sapta: seven
• sapta: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sapta (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral adjective; agreeing with dhānyāni: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• dhānyāni: grains
• dhānyāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhānya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निश्चय/अवधारण)

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

• śayana-sthasya: of the one lying (there)
• śayana-sthasya: Sambandha (षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śayana (प्रातिपदिक) + stha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; ‘of the one lying on the bed’

• bhavati: is/becomes
• bhavati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person, Singular, parasmaipada

• yat: whatever
• yat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular; relative pronoun

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• anyat: anything else
• anyat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular; ‘other (thing)’

• upakārakam: helpful
• upakārakam: Pradhāna-viśeṣaṇa (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upakāraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular; predicate adjective qualifying yat/anyat

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During arrangement of śayyā-dāna accessories, before donation

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dharma is proportional and compassionate: offer according to ability, yet aim for completeness in what is genuinely helpful; the ‘seven grains’ encode sustenance and wholeness.

Vedantic Theme: Ethical action (dharma) performed with śraddhā and without strain aligns with sattva and yields purifying merit.

Application: Do not overextend financially; instead, provide meaningful essentials. Include staple foods/grains as symbols of nourishment and continuity, and add context-appropriate supports.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-space around the śayyā (bed-platform)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34: śayyā-dāna procedure and accessories; Garuda Purana śrāddha guidance: ‘yathāśakti’ principle (general)

Characters & Entities

• Pretas
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of the seven grains (saptadhānya) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse treats the seven grains as supportive ritual provisions placed beside the departed, symbolizing essential sustenance and completeness, offered according to the family’s means.

How does this verse explain the care given to the departed (preta) in the ritual setting?

It emphasizes practical dharmic support: arrange prescribed offerings (like saptadhānya) and add any other beneficial items, indicating that thoughtful provisions and charity aid the departed’s transitional state.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform last rites within your capacity, prioritize sincerity and completeness, and include helpful offerings/charity rather than excessive display—aligning ritual action with compassion and dharma.