Shloka 32
Akalamṛtyu-kāraṇa and Bāla Antyeṣṭi: Age-graded Funeral Rites, Śrāddha Types, and Sonship Duties
काङ्कां गतिमवाप्नोति जायो मृत्युवशं गतः / भवेन्न दुहिता यस्य न दौहित्रो न वा सुतः
kāṅkāṃ gatimavāpnoti jāyo mṛtyuvaśaṃ gataḥ / bhavenna duhitā yasya na dauhitro na vā sutaḥ
Seorang lelaki yang telah jatuh di bawah kuasa maut mencapai keadaan yang menyedihkan—terutama apabila dia tidak mempunyai anak perempuan, tiada cucu lelaki daripada anak perempuan (dauhitra), dan tiada pula anak lelaki.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue teaching Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Beneficiary: Pitr
Concept: Without daughter, dauhitra, or son, a dying person faces a ‘kāṅkā’ (wretched/longing) condition—implying the dharmic importance of progeny for ritual continuity and support at death.
Vedantic Theme: Saṃsāric dependence on relational supports; the role of gṛhastha-dharma in sustaining pitṛ-ṛṇa and social order.
Application: Plan responsibly for end-of-life rites and care; if no biological descendants, arrange lawful/ritual alternatives (adoption, appointed performers, community support) consistent with tradition.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.25 (transition toward śrāddha questions and ancestral debt)
FAQs
This verse links post-death welfare to the presence of descendants who can continue śrāddha, tarpaṇa, and piṇḍa-dāna—supports believed to aid the departed’s onward journey and ancestral obligations.
It implies that when a person falls under “Death’s control,” their post-mortem condition can become difficult if there is no family line to sustain the prescribed rites that traditionally uphold the preta’s transition and pitṛ-related duties.
Maintain ancestral duties (śrāddha/tarpaṇa) and ensure end-of-life and post-death arrangements are responsibly planned within the family or community so that traditional obligations are not neglected.