Shloka 35
Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy
इषेत्वोर्जोति मन्त्रेण दक्षिणे स्थापयेद्यमम् / मध्ये मण्डलकं कृत्वा स्थाप्यो दर्भमयो नरः
iṣetvorjoti mantreṇa dakṣiṇe sthāpayedyamam / madhye maṇḍalakaṃ kṛtvā sthāpyo darbhamayo naraḥ
Dengan mantra “iṣetvorjoti”, hendaklah ditempatkan (diundang dan ditegakkan) Yama di sebelah selatan. Kemudian, setelah membuat mandala di tengah, dirikanlah sebuah figura manusia yang diperbuat daripada rumput darbha.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: During mandala formation and devatā-nyāsa; before/alongside preta representation and offerings
Concept: Acknowledging Yama as karmic governor within rites; the central symbolic body (darbha-nara) mediates the preta’s transition.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-niyati (moral causality) under cosmic governance; ritual as a means to order grief and duty without denying impermanence.
Application: Place Yama to the south with the specified mantra; draw the central mandala and set the darbha-made human figure as the rite’s focal representation.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: directional placement and central mandala
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.40.33 (preta symbol); Garuda Purana 2.40.34 (north/east placements); Garuda Purana 2.40.36 (five kumbhas)
FAQs
This verse links the southern direction with Yama’s jurisdiction, prescribing a deliberate ritual placement to align the rite with the after-death journey and the authority overseeing death and judgment.
By instructing the installation of a darbha-grass human figure within a mandala, the verse indicates a symbolic substitute or focus for rites—supporting offerings and mantras when the subtle presence of the departed is ritually addressed.
If performing traditional rites, follow qualified guidance: maintain directional discipline, create a clean ritual space (mandala), and use sanctioned materials like darbha to keep the observance orderly, reverent, and scripturally grounded.