Shloka 65

Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy

Devanagari script

दशाहकर्त्रा पिण्डाश्च कर्तव्याः प्रेतभुक्तये / सर्वं वर्षविधिं कुर्यादेवं प्रेतश्च मुक्तिभाक्

Transliteration

daśāhakartrā piṇḍāśca kartavyāḥ pretabhuktaye / sarvaṃ varṣavidhiṃ kuryādevaṃ pretaśca muktibhāk

Translation

ദശാഹകർമ്മം ചെയ്യുന്നവൻ പ്രേതഭുക്തിക്കായി പിണ്ഡങ്ങൾ അർപ്പിക്കണം. സമ്പൂർണ്ണ വാർഷികവിധിയും നടത്തണം; ഇങ്ങനെ ചെയ്താൽ പ്രേതനും മുക്തി ലഭിക്കും।

Word by Word

• daśāhakartrā: by the performer of the ten-day rites
• daśāhakartrā: Karta (Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśāhakartṛ (दशाहकर्तृ)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• piṇḍāḥ: rice balls
• piṇḍāḥ: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: piṇḍa (पिण्ड)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• ca: and
• ca: Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च)
• Form: Conjunction

• kartavyāḥ: should be offered
• kartavyāḥ: Vidheya (Predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛ (कृ)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural, Tavya-pratyaya

• pretabhuktaye: for the consumption of the ghost
• pretabhuktaye: Sampradana (Beneficiary)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pretabhukti (प्रेतभुक्ति)
• Form: Feminine, Dative, Singular

• sarvam: entire/all
• sarvam: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (सर्व)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• varṣavidhim: yearly rites
• varṣavidhim: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣavidhi (वर्षविधि)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• kuryāt: should perform
• kuryāt: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ)
• Form: Vidhilin Lakara (Optative), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha, Ekavachana

• evam: thus/in this way
• evam: Manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (एवम्)
• Form: Adverb

• pretaḥ: the ghost
• pretaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: preta (प्रेत)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च)
• Form: Conjunction

• muktibhāk: partaker of liberation
• muktibhāk: Vidheya (Predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: muktibhāj (मुक्तिभाज्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular (Upapada Tatpurusha)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Daśāha (ten-day) sequence and the full annual (vārṣika/ābdika) observances.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Piṇḍa offerings nourish the preta; completing ten-day and annual rites leads toward the preta’s liberation.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as supportive means; compassionate duty toward ancestors within the moral fabric of saṃsāra.

Application: Perform the ten-day sequence with piṇḍa offerings and continue yearly śrāddha/annual remembrances consistently, with sincerity and ethical living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household ritual space / śrāddha venue

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa on preta nourishment via piṇḍa and the daśāha sequence; Broader Garuda Purana śrāddha chapters detailing annual (vārṣika/abdikā) rites and their fruits

Characters & Entities

• Pretas

FAQs

What is the importance of piṇḍa-dāna (rice-ball offerings) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that piṇḍas are to be offered specifically for the preta’s nourishment, supporting the departed during the post-death transitional state.

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

It presents the preta stage as a condition needing ritual support (daśāha and annual rites), and teaches that proper observances aid the departed toward release (mukti).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform the prescribed post-death rites responsibly—especially daśāha and yearly śrāddha—with sincerity and ethical living, treating them as duties of care for ancestors.