Shloka 176
Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths
आदौ कृत्वा धनिष्ठार्धमेतन्नक्षत्रपञ्चकम् / रेवत्यन्तं सदा दूष्यमशुभं सर्वदा भवेत्
ādau kṛtvā dhaniṣṭhārdhametannakṣatrapañcakam / revatyantaṃ sadā dūṣyamaśubhaṃ sarvadā bhavet
ധനിഷ്ഠയുടെ ഉത്തരാർദ്ധത്തിൽ നിന്ന് ആരംഭിച്ച് രേവതി വരെ ഉള്ള ഈ നക്ഷത്രപഞ്ചകം എപ്പോഴും ദോഷമുള്ളതെന്നു കരുതപ്പെടുന്നു; അത് സദാ അശുഭമാണ്।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: nakṣatra-pañcaka period (latter Dhaniṣṭhā to Revatī) flagged as inauspicious for certain rites
Concept: Kāla (time) has ritual qualities; selecting auspicious timing avoids doṣa and supports efficacy of saṃskāras.
Vedantic Theme: Order in time reflects ṛta/dharma; disciplined alignment with cosmic rhythms steadies human action.
Application: Avoid performing sensitive rites during the specified nakṣatra-pañcaka from latter Dhaniṣṭhā through Revatī when deemed inauspicious.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: calendrical/astral context (nakṣatra cycle)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: pañcaka/nakṣatra doṣa discussions connected to funeral timing; Garuda Purana: kāla-nirṇaya style passages around antyeṣṭi and śrāddha timing
FAQs
This verse marks a specific five-nakshatra span (from the latter half of Dhaniṣṭhā up to Revatī) as ritually defective, indicating it should be avoided when selecting timings for sensitive rites like śrāddha and related offerings.
In the Preta Kanda, correct timing is treated as essential for rites that support the departed. By calling this nakshatra set “dūṣya” and “aśubha,” the text warns that performing such rites in this window is considered inauspicious.
When planning śrāddha, pindadāna, or memorial observances, consult a traditional pañcāṅga/astrologer to avoid the Dhaniṣṭhā (second half)–Revatī nakshatra-pañcaka window, aligning the rite with recommended auspicious timings.