Shloka 24

The Explanation of the Post-funeral Rites (Aurdhvadehika) and Related Matters

Devanagari script

सूतकान्ते ततः पुत्रः कुर्याच्छान्तिकमुत्तमम्

Transliteration

sūtakānte tataḥ putraḥ kuryācchāntikamuttamam

Translation

സൂതകകാലം അവസാനിച്ച ശേഷം പുത്രൻ അത്യുത്തമമായ ശാന്തികർമ്മം നിർവഹിക്കണം।

Word by Word

• सूतक-अन्ते: at the end of the mourning/impurity period
• सूतक-अन्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूतक (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सूतकस्य अन्ते = at the end of impurity period)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; thereafter

• पुत्रः: the son
• पुत्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• कुर्यात्: should do/perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• शान्तिकम्: a pacificatory rite
• शान्तिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शान्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• उत्तमम्: excellent
• उत्तमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: At the end of sūtaka (aśauca-anta)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: After the aśauca period ends, the son should perform an excellent śānti rite to re-establish auspiciousness and peace.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma regulates transitions; purification and propitiation steady the mind and community after loss.

Application: Observe aśauca rules; at completion, perform śānti with competent priests—prayers, homa, and charity as appropriate.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: gṛha/śrāddha-sthāna (domestic ritual space)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections on aśauca (sūtaka) observance and post-impurity rites; Following verses 2.35.25–26 on pañcaka death and dāna for gati

Characters & Entities

• Putra (son)
• Sūtaka
• Śānti (pacification rite)

FAQs

What is the importance of śānti after the sūtaka period in Garuda Purana?

This verse states that once sūtaka concludes, the son should perform an excellent śānti rite to restore auspiciousness and spiritual peace, marking a proper transition into the next prescribed duties.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana narrative?

By emphasizing timely rites after sūtaka, the verse supports the broader Preta Kanda theme that correct observances help stabilize conditions for the departed and align the family’s dharma during the post-death transition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe the traditional mourning/impurity period as per one’s custom, and after it ends, perform a sincere pacificatory prayer/rite (with guidance from elders or a priest) to re-establish calm, discipline, and dharmic order in the household.