Shloka 85

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

Devanagari script

स्थापयेत् पुरुषं हैमं शय्योपरि शुभं बुधः / पूजयित्वा प्रदातव्या मृतशय्या यथोदिता

Transliteration

sthāpayet puruṣaṃ haimaṃ śayyopari śubhaṃ budhaḥ / pūjayitvā pradātavyā mṛtaśayyā yathoditā

Translation

ബുദ്ധിമാൻ ശുഭമായ ശയ്യയുടെ മേൽ പുരുഷന്റെ സ്വർണ്ണപ്രതിമ സ്ഥാപിക്കണം; അതിനെ പൂജിച്ച ശേഷം, വിധിപ്രകാരം ‘മൃതശയ്യാ’ ദാനം നൽകണം।

Word by Word

• sthāpayet: should place
• sthāpayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (धा॒तु) + ṇic (causative/णिच्)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (Optative), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa, Eka-vacana; causative ‘should cause to be placed’

• puruṣam: a man/figure
• puruṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (Accusative), Eka-vacana

• haimam: golden
• haimam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: haima (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana; agreeing with puruṣam

• śayyā-upari: upon the bed
• śayyā-upari: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śayyā (प्रातिपदिक) + upari (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyayībhāva (adverbial compound): ‘upon the bed’; upari = indeclinable

• śubham: auspicious
• śubham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana; agreeing with puruṣam

• budhaḥ: a wise person
• budhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: budha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Eka-vacana

• pūjayitvā: having worshipped
• pūjayitvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pūj (धा॒तु)
• Form: Ktvā-pratyaya (absolutive/क्त्वा), ‘having worshipped’

• pradātavyā: should be given
• pradātavyā: Vidheyatā (विधेयता; obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√dā (धा॒तु)
• Form: Tavya-pratyaya (gerundive/तव्य), Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Eka-vacana; agrees with mṛtaśayyā; ‘to be given/should be given’

• mṛta-śayyā: funeral bed (bed for the dead)
• mṛta-śayyā: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛta (कृदन्त; √mṛ) + śayyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (relation: ‘for the dead’/‘dead-person’s’), Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Eka-vacana

• yathā-uditā: as prescribed
• yathā-uditā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + udita (कृदन्त; √vad/√ud? here ‘said’ from √vad with ud- prefix: udita)
• Form: Avyayībhāva: ‘as stated’; udita = Kta participle; Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Eka-vacana; agrees with mṛtaśayyā

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: As prescribed within the pretakriyā/śrāddha sequence (contextual)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śayyā-dāna must be performed with proper pratimā-sthāpana (placing an effigy), pūjā, and then donation according to injunction.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual action (karma) sanctified by devotion and correctness; external act as a vehicle for subtle benefit to the departed.

Application: If undertaking śayyā-dāna, follow competent guidance: prepare the bed, place the prescribed golden effigy, perform worship, then complete the donation as per rule.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34.86–87: fruits of śayyā-dāna in Indra’s and Yama’s realms; protection from Yama’s servants and from heat/cold

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of mṛtaśayyā (death-bed donation) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames mṛtaśayyā as a prescribed, dharmic gift/rite: an auspicious golden human figure is placed on the bed, worshipped, and then the death-bed offering is given according to rule.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and the soul’s journey after death?

In the Preta Kanda context, correct donations and rites support orderly post-death observances; this verse highlights a specific regulated gift (mṛtaśayyā) done with worship and prescribed procedure.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow lawful, family- and tradition-consistent last-rites guidance: make charitable gifts with reverence and clear intention, ensuring rituals are done “as prescribed” rather than casually or for display.