Shloka 58

Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy

Devanagari script

सर्वौषधियुतं प्रेतं कृत्वा पूजा यथोदिता / साग्निके (कैश्चा) चापि विधिना यज्ञपात्रं न्यसेत्क्रमात्

Transliteration

sarvauṣadhiyutaṃ pretaṃ kṛtvā pūjā yathoditā / sāgnike (kaiścā) cāpi vidhinā yajñapātraṃ nyasetkramāt

Translation

Setelah menyediakan preta (roh si mati) yang diperlengkapi dengan segala herba ubatan, dan melaksanakan pemujaan sebagaimana diajarkan, hendaklah kemudian, menurut tertibnya, diletakkan yajñapātra (bekas upacara korban) mengikut tatacara yang benar—juga dalam ritus yang melibatkan api suci (agni), sebagaimana disebut oleh sesetengah tradisi.

Word by Word

• सर्वौषधियुतम्: endowed with all herbs
• सर्वौषधियुतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व-औषधि-युत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Acc singular qualifying प्रेतम्; समासः तत्पुरुष (सर्वाभिः औषधिभिः युतम्)

• प्रेतम्: the departed spirit/preta
• प्रेतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Acc singular

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कृ (धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (absolutive/gerund), अव्यय; ‘having done’

• पूजा: worship
• पूजा: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nom singular

• यथा: as
• यथा: Prakara (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; manner adverb ‘as/according to’

• उदिता: stated/declared
• उदिता: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-इ (धातु) + त (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; agrees with पूजा; ‘as has been stated’

• साग्निके: in the (rite) with fire
• साग्निके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-अग्निक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular; ‘with fire’ (sa + āgnika)

• कैः: with which (items)
• कैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural interrogative/relative; text uncertain (parenthetical)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय; conjunction

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; particle (emphasis/addition)

• विधिना: by the prescribed method
• विधिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• यज्ञपात्रम्: sacrificial vessel
• यज्ञपात्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ-पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; Nom/Acc singular; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (यज्ञस्य पात्रम्)

• न्यसेत्: should place
• न्यसेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-√अस्/न्यस् (धातु; √अस् ‘to place’ with नि)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; 3rd sg optative; परस्मैपद

• क्रमात्: in sequence
• क्रमात्: Hetu/Avyaya-artha (अव्ययीभावार्थ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Ablative singular used adverbially ‘in order/stepwise’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within the prescribed śrāddha/pūjā sequence; optionally with agni-associated procedure

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Kriyā performed in correct sequence (krama) and with prescribed substances is held to effect subtle purification and benefit for the departed.

Vedantic Theme: Efficacy of karma when joined with śraddhā and vidhi; the unseen (adṛṣṭa) fruit of ritual action.

Application: Follow a validated prayoga: prepare the preta-representation with prescribed herbs, complete pūjā, then place yajña-pātra in correct order, especially when agni-rites are included.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space with sacred fire (agni-kunda)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.40 śrāddha-krama passages on preta-samskara, dravya-samgraha, agni-sambandha

Characters & Entities

• Preta
• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of using 'sarvauṣadhi' (all herbs) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse indicates a prescribed preparation of the preta with medicinal/herbal substances, implying ritual purity, protection, and completeness of the offering-process for the departed.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

Indirectly: it focuses on the correct ritual handling of the preta, suggesting that orderly, rule-based rites support the preta’s transition and proper post-death journey as taught in the Preta Kanda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow authorized tradition (family/śāstric guidance) for funeral and śrāddha rites, emphasizing correct sequence, cleanliness, and sincerity rather than improvisation.