Shloka 180

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

Devanagari script

क्रियते मानुषाणान्तु स वा आहुतिपूर्वकः / विप्रैर्विधिरतः कार्यो मन्त्रैस्तु विधिपूर्वकम्

Transliteration

kriyate mānuṣāṇāntu sa vā āhutipūrvakaḥ / viprairvidhirataḥ kāryo mantraistu vidhipūrvakam

Translation

മനുഷ്യർക്കായി ഈ ക്രിയ അഗ്നിയിൽ ആഹുതികളോടുകൂടി നടത്തപ്പെടുന്നു. അതിനാൽ പണ്ഡിത ബ്രാഹ്മണർ വിധിപ്രകാരം നിർവഹിക്കണം; മന്ത്രപ്രയോഗവും കൃത്യമായി നിയമാനുസൃതമായിരിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• क्रियते: is performed
• क्रियते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• मानुषाणाम्: of humans
• मानुषाणाम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विरोध/विशेष (particle)

• सः: that (rite)
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विकल्प (or)

• आहुतिपूर्वकः: preceded by offerings/oblations
• आहुतिपूर्वकः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आहुति + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (आहुत्या पूर्वकः = preceded by oblations)

• विप्रैः: by Brahmins
• विप्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• विधिः: the procedure/rite
• विधिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, हेत्वर्थ/तस्मात् (causal: therefore/from this)

• कार्यः: should be done
• कार्यः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + ण्यत् (कृत्प्रत्यय)
• Form: ण्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण

• मन्त्रैः: with mantras
• मन्त्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विरोध/विशेष (particle)

• विधिपूर्वकम्: in accordance with rule
• विधिपूर्वकम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adverb
• Root: विधि + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् प्रयोग (adverbial accusative); समासः—तत्पुरुष (विधिना पूर्वकम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Human funerary rite must include āhuti into fire; qualified brāhmaṇas must perform it with exact mantras and procedure.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda (mantra) and karma-kāṇḍa efficacy when aligned with vidhi; disciplined action as purifier.

Application: Ensure competent officiants; follow standardized prayoga; avoid improvisation in mantras/steps during antyeṣṭi and related rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: cremation_ground

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.4: antyeṣṭi as āhuti-pūrvaka; mantra-vidhi emphasis; subsequent effigy/darbha procedures

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas (Vipras)
• Mantras
• Ahutis (oblations)

FAQs

What is the importance of performing rites with āhuti (oblations) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that the human rite should be done with fire-offerings, indicating that offerings and mantra-recitation together complete the prescribed ritual act.

How does this verse explain the correct way to do Garuda Purana funeral or post-death rites?

It emphasizes strict adherence to vidhi (injunctions): qualified vipras should conduct the procedure, and mantras must be applied correctly, making the rite valid and spiritually effective.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow an authentic, rule-based ritual process—use correct mantras and competent guidance—while keeping the intent of dharma and respectful duty at the center of the observance.