Shloka 35
Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy
इषेत्वोर्जोति मन्त्रेण दक्षिणे स्थापयेद्यमम् / मध्ये मण्डलकं कृत्वा स्थाप्यो दर्भमयो नरः
iṣetvorjoti mantreṇa dakṣiṇe sthāpayedyamam / madhye maṇḍalakaṃ kṛtvā sthāpyo darbhamayo naraḥ
‘ഇഷേത്വോർജോ…’ മന്ത്രം ചൊല്ലി തെക്കോട്ട് യമനെ സ്ഥാപിക്കണം. പിന്നെ നടുവിൽ മണ്ഡലം വരച്ച് ദർഭമയമായ മനുഷ്യരൂപം സ്ഥാപിക്കണം.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: During mandala formation and devatā-nyāsa; before/alongside preta representation and offerings
Concept: Acknowledging Yama as karmic governor within rites; the central symbolic body (darbha-nara) mediates the preta’s transition.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-niyati (moral causality) under cosmic governance; ritual as a means to order grief and duty without denying impermanence.
Application: Place Yama to the south with the specified mantra; draw the central mandala and set the darbha-made human figure as the rite’s focal representation.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: directional placement and central mandala
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.40.33 (preta symbol); Garuda Purana 2.40.34 (north/east placements); Garuda Purana 2.40.36 (five kumbhas)
FAQs
This verse links the southern direction with Yama’s jurisdiction, prescribing a deliberate ritual placement to align the rite with the after-death journey and the authority overseeing death and judgment.
By instructing the installation of a darbha-grass human figure within a mandala, the verse indicates a symbolic substitute or focus for rites—supporting offerings and mantras when the subtle presence of the departed is ritually addressed.
If performing traditional rites, follow qualified guidance: maintain directional discipline, create a clean ritual space (mandala), and use sanctioned materials like darbha to keep the observance orderly, reverent, and scripturally grounded.