Shloka 137

Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths

Devanagari script

चत्वारिंशच्छिरोभागे ग्रीवायां दश विन्यसेत् / विंशत्युरः स्थले दद्याद्विंशतिञ्जठरे तथा

Transliteration

catvāriṃśacchirobhāge grīvāyāṃ daśa vinyaset / viṃśatyuraḥ sthale dadyādviṃśatiñjaṭhare tathā

Translation

ശിരോഭാഗത്ത് നാല്പത് വിന്യസിക്കണം, ഗ്രീവയിൽ പത്ത് സ്ഥാപിക്കണം. ഉരസ്ഥലത്ത് ഇരുപത് ദദ്യം, ജഠരത്തിലും അതുപോലെ ഇരുപത്.

Word by Word

• catvāriṃśat: forty
• catvāriṃśat: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catvāriṃśat (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्दः, अव्ययवत् (indeclinable-like numeral), कर्मणि/परिमाणे (measure)

• śiraḥ-bhāge: in the head-region
• śiraḥ-bhāge: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (śiraḥ = शिरसः)

• grīvāyām: in the neck
• grīvāyām: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: grīvā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचनम्

• daśa: ten
• daśa: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśa (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्दः, अव्ययवत् (indeclinable-like numeral), कर्मणि/परिमाणे

• vinyaset: should place/arrange
• vinyaset: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√nyas (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• viṃśati: twenty
• viṃśati: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṃśati (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्दः, अव्ययवत् (indeclinable-like numeral), कर्मणि/परिमाणे

• uraḥ-sthale: in the chest-area
• uraḥ-sthale: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uras (प्रातिपदिक) + sthala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (uraḥ = उरसः)

• dadyāt: should give/place
• dadyāt: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• viṃśatim: twenty (as quantity)
• viṃśatim: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṃśati (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः (संख्याशब्दः), द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचनम्; परिमाणे

• jaṭhare: in the belly/abdomen
• jaṭhare: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jaṭhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचनम्

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; प्रकारवाचक/समुच्चयार्थक (adverb: likewise)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue, instructing Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Antyeṣṭi/pretakriyā context (immediately after death rites, as prescribed in the section).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śarīra-saṃskāra through prescribed placement/measurement as a duty toward the departed.

Vedantic Theme: Anityatā of the body; dharma as supportive order for the jīva’s onward course.

Application: Follow the stated distribution exactly when arranging the śarīra/effigy components in funerary rites to avoid ritual deficiency (doṣa).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4.138; Garuda Purana 2.4.139; Garuda Purana 2.4.140; Garuda Purana 2.4.141

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of assigning numbers to body regions in Garuda Purana?

This verse gives a precise ritual allocation—specific quantities are to be placed/assigned to the head, neck, chest, and abdomen—indicating a structured method of offering that aligns the rite with the preta’s bodily (subtle) constitution.

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

Indirectly: by prescribing ordered placements for offerings, it reflects the Garuda Purana’s view that the departed preta is supported through regulated rites while moving through the post-death transition, where ritual correctness is emphasized.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha/pinda-related observances, follow a qualified priest and traditional manuals: the takeaway is disciplined, careful execution of rites rather than improvisation—done with sincerity and dharmic intent.