Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 75

Yamamārga, Antyeṣṭi-vidhi, and Daśāhika Piṇḍa-dāna

Road to Yama and Ten-Day Offerings

Devanagari script

दीपमन्नं जलं वस्त्रं यत्किञ्चिद्वस्तु दीयते / प्रेतशब्देन तद्देयं मृस्यानन्ददायकम्

Transliteration

dīpamannaṃ jalaṃ vastraṃ yatkiñcidvastu dīyate / pretaśabdena taddeyaṃ mṛsyānandadāyakam

Translation

Pelita, makanan, air, pakaian—apa jua benda yang diberikan—hendaklah dipersembahkan atas nama “preta”. Pemberian demikian menjadi pemberi ketenteraman dan sukacita yang sejati kepada si arwah.

Word by Word

• दीपम्: lamp
• दीपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अन्नम्: food
• अन्नम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• जलम्: water
• जलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वस्त्रम्: cloth/garment
• वस्त्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• यत्: whatever
• यत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धवाचक (relative)

• किञ्चित्: anything
• किञ्चित्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अनिश्चितवाचक (indefinite: something)

• वस्तु: an item/thing
• वस्तु: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दीयते: is given
• दीयते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive), आत्मनेपद

• प्रेतशब्देन: with the word “preta” (as designation)
• प्रेतशब्देन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेत + शब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (प्रेतस्य शब्दः)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• देयम्: should be given
• देयम्: Kriya (Predicate obligation/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययार्थे क्तव्य-भाव (gerundive/obligatory), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• मृत्स्य: pleasing/agreeable (mṛtsya)
• मृत्स्य: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृत्स्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• आनन्ददायकम्: joy-giving
• आनन्ददायकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आनन्द + दायक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (आनन्दस्य दायकः = giving joy)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During the preta phase of post-death rites (daśāha and related observances)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna dedicated with the correct intention/name (‘preta’) becomes truly beneficial, giving sukha to the departed.

Vedantic Theme: Saṅkalpa (intention) and nāma as determinants of karmic fruit; compassionate action as dharmic purification.

Application: Offer lamp, food, water, clothing, and needed items as preta-dāna with clear dedication; pair ritual with practical charity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: preta-dāna items (dīpa, anna, jala, vastra) and their fruits; continuation of 2.15.72–74

Characters & Entities

• Pretas

FAQs

What is the importance of giving in the name of the preta in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that offerings become effective when explicitly dedicated to the departed (preta-śabdena), making the gift a real source of comfort for the deceased.

How does this verse explain support for the soul after death?

It implies that the departed benefits from ritual intention and dedication: common necessities (light, food, water, clothing) offered with the preta’s name are meant to ease the preta’s post-death condition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha or memorial charity, donate essentials (food, water, clothes, lamp/light) with a clear dedication to the departed, combining generosity with focused intention.