Shloka 63
Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy
कर्तव्यं वैष्णवं श्राद्धं प्रेतमुक्त्यर्थ मात्मवान् / प्रेतंमोक्षं ततः कुर्याद्धृदि विष्णुं प्रकल्प्य च
kartavyaṃ vaiṣṇavaṃ śrāddhaṃ pretamuktyartha mātmavān / pretaṃmokṣaṃ tataḥ kuryāddhṛdi viṣṇuṃ prakalpya ca
ആത്മനിയന്ത്രണമുള്ളവൻ പ്രേതമുക്തിക്കായി വൈഷ്ണവ ശ്രാദ്ധം നടത്തണം. തുടർന്ന് ഹൃദയത്തിൽ വിഷ്ണുവിനെ സ്ഥാപിച്ച് പ്രേതമോക്ഷം വരുത്തണം।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Śrāddha performed for preta-mukti (typically within post-death rite cycle; exact day not specified here).
Concept: Preta-mukti is sought through Vaiṣṇava śrāddha and internal establishment (hṛdaya-dhāraṇā) of Viṣṇu.
Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as a liberating force; īśvara-smaraṇa purifies karma and directs the jīva toward auspicious gati.
Application: Perform śrāddha with Viṣṇu-centered intention (mantra, nāma, dhyāna), cultivating self-control and compassion rather than mere formality.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: ritual space (śrāddha setting)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Vaiṣṇava śrāddha passages emphasizing Viṣṇu-smaraṇa for preta-śānti/mukti; Continuation in 2.40.64 with ‘Om Viṣṇu’ remembrance and antyeṣṭi procedure
FAQs
This verse states that a Vaiṣṇava śrāddha should be performed specifically for the preta’s release, emphasizing devotion to Viṣṇu as a liberating support within the rite.
It implies that the departed may exist as a preta needing ‘mukti’ (release), and that ritual support combined with inner Viṣṇu-smaraṇa (establishing Viṣṇu in the heart) aids the transition toward liberation.
Perform post-death rites with sincerity and ethical self-discipline, and add focused remembrance of Viṣṇu (prayer/mental worship) as an inner offering alongside the external śrāddha.