Shloka 7

Explanation of Purification (Śuddhi-vyākhyāna)

Devanagari script

विष्णुं यमं च सम्पूज्य गन्धपुष्पाक्षतादिभिः / दश पिण्डान् घृताक्तांश्च दर्भेषु मधुसंयुतान्

Transliteration

viṣṇuṃ yamaṃ ca sampūjya gandhapuṣpākṣatādibhiḥ / daśa piṇḍān ghṛtāktāṃśca darbheṣu madhusaṃyutān

Translation

ഗന്ധം, പുഷ്പം, അക്ഷതം മുതലായവകൊണ്ട് വിഷ്ണുവിനെയും യമനെയും വിധിപൂർവ്വം പൂജിച്ച്, നെയ്യ് പുരട്ടിയതും ദർഭമേൽ വെച്ചതും തേൻ ചേർത്തതുമായ പത്ത് പിണ്ഡങ്ങൾ ഒരുക്കണം।

Word by Word

• viṣṇum: Vishnu
• viṣṇum: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• yamam: Yama
• yamam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• sampūjya: having worshipped
• sampūjya: Purvakala Kriya
• Type: Verb
• Root: sampūj (sam + pūj) (धातु)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Absolutive/Gerund)

• gandhapuṣpākṣatādibhiḥ: with scents, flowers, rice, etc.
• gandhapuṣpākṣatādibhiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandhapuṣpākṣatādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• daśa: ten
• daśa: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• piṇḍān: rice balls (offerings)
• piṇḍān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: piṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• ghṛtāktān: anointed with ghee
• ghṛtāktān: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghṛtākta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• darbheṣu: on Darbha grass
• darbheṣu: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: darbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

• madhusaṃyutān: mixed with honey
• madhusaṃyutān: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhusaṃyuta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vainateya)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Sapindana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within the one-year completion rite sequence; after pūjā upacāras

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual action (kriyā) as a conduit for post-mortem welfare; honoring both Viṣṇu (protector/liberator) and Yama (judge/order) integrates grace and moral law.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as both niyantṛ (cosmic regulator) and anugrahakartṛ (bestower of grace); karma is ordered, not random.

Application: Perform pūjā with gandha-puṣpa-akṣata; prepare ten piṇḍas with ghee, darbha base, and honey—clean, measured, and intentioned for the departed.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-altar/śrāddha-vedī

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.44 (same section): piṇḍa counts and materials; worship of Yama in śrāddha context

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Yama
• Darbha grass
• Pinda (piṇḍa)

FAQs

What is the importance of preparing ten piṇḍas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes a structured piṇḍa offering—ten rice-balls—used in preta-related rites to ritually support and honor the departed through correct śrāddha procedure.

Why are Vishnu and Yama worshipped together in this verse?

Vishnu represents divine protection and auspicious passage, while Yama represents dharma and the after-death jurisdiction; worshipping both frames the rite as both spiritually protective and dharmically proper.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform śrāddha or remembrance rites with sincerity and cleanliness, following tradition (as feasible) and emphasizing reverence, ethical living, and responsibility toward ancestors.