Shloka 172
Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths
सूतिकायां मृतायान्तु एवं कुर्वन्ति याज्ञिकाः / कुम्भे सलिलमादाय पञ्चगव्यं तथैव च
sūtikāyāṃ mṛtāyāntu evaṃ kurvanti yājñikāḥ / kumbhe salilamādāya pañcagavyaṃ tathaiva ca
Apabila seorang wanita meninggal dunia semasa bersalin, pakar ritual mengambil air di dalam periuk dan menyediakan pañcagavya (lima produk suci lembu).
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)
Beneficiary: Mata
Timing: immediate funeral-preparatory phase (antyeṣṭi preliminaries)
Concept: Aśauca and śuddhi are addressed through specific saṃskāra procedures, especially in exceptional deaths (childbirth).
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as purifier of conduct (ācāra-śuddhi) supporting sattva and social-spiritual order.
Application: In cases of death during childbirth, prepare kumbha-jala and pañcagavya as part of the prescribed purification before subsequent rites.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: household/cremation-preparatory space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana, Pretakalpa: sections on antyeṣṭi/śuddhi for special deaths (sūtikā, rajasvalā); Garuda Purana: śrāddha and aśauca discussions connected to funeral preliminaries
FAQs
This verse highlights pañcagavya as a key purificatory substance used by ritualists, especially in sensitive death-cases like death during childbirth, to sanctify the rite with traditional cleansing agents.
Indirectly: by prescribing correct ritual handling (water in a pot and pañcagavya), it emphasizes that orderly purification and funerary procedure support the deceased’s transition into the post-death state described in the Preta Kanda.
If performing or commissioning last rites, follow qualified guidance and maintain ritual cleanliness—this verse specifically points to traditional purification materials (kumbha-water and pañcagavya) for rites conducted under exceptional circumstances.