Shloka 13

Determining Rites for Difficult/Inauspicious Deaths; Annual and Daily Śrāddha Rules

Devanagari script

प्रत्यब्दमेवं यः कुर्याद्यथातथमतन्द्रितः / तारयित्वा पितॄन् सर्वान् प्राप्नोति परमां गतिम्

Transliteration

pratyabdamevaṃ yaḥ kuryādyathātathamatandritaḥ / tārayitvā pitṝn sarvān prāpnoti paramāṃ gatim

Translation

ശാസ്ത്രവിധിപ്രകാരം വർഷംതോറും യഥാവിധി അലസതയില്ലാതെ ഈ കർമ്മങ്ങൾ ചെയ്യുന്നവൻ, സർവ്വ പിതൃകളെയും താരിപ്പിച്ച് പരമഗതി (മോക്ഷം) പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• प्रति-अब्दम्: every year
• प्रति-अब्दम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय) + अब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समासः; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) ‘प्रत्यब्दम्’ = every year

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (adverb of manner)

• यः: who (he)
• यः: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: क्रिया (Kriyā/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• यथा: as
• यथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (as/according as)

• तथा: so
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (so/accordingly)

• अतन्द्रितः: unwearied/attentive
• अतन्द्रितः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-तन्द्रित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्-समासभावः (negated) ‘not lazy/attentive’

• तारयित्वा: having delivered
• तारयित्वा: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Pūrvakāla-kriyā/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तॄ/तार् (धातु) + णिच् + क्त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive) ‘having caused to cross/delivered’

• पितॄन्: the ancestors
• पितॄन्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• सर्वान्: all
• सर्वान्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; पितॄन् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• प्राप्नोति: attains
• प्राप्नोति: क्रिया (Kriyā/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• परमाम्: supreme
• परमाम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘गतिम्’ इति विशेषणम्

• गतिम्: state/goal
• गतिम्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Pratyabda (annual) observance on the death-tithi or adopted schedule

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Faithful, regular śrāddha performed as prescribed both supports pitṛs and conduces to the performer’s highest attainment.

Vedantic Theme: Nishkāma-karma and pitṛ-yajña as purifying duty that can support liberation-oriented life.

Application: Perform annual śrāddha without negligence, following procedure precisely; cultivate sincerity and continuity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: griha/ritual-space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.45 (annual śrāddha, pitṛ-tṛpti, and results of correct performance)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of annual Shraddha/Pitṛ-tarpaṇa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that performing the prescribed ancestral rites every year, without negligence, helps the Pitṛs attain upliftment and grants the performer the highest spiritual destination.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul and the role of ancestors (Pitṛs)?

It emphasizes that correct and consistent pitṛ-karma supports the ancestors’ onward journey and purification, and that such dharmic action also refines the doer’s own destiny toward the “paramā gati” (supreme state).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe annual śrāddha/tarpaṇa (as per one’s tradition), perform offerings with sincerity and accuracy, and live responsibly toward family lineage—treating duty to ancestors as part of daily dharma.