Shloka 29

Vaitaraṇī: Torments of the Sinful, Sins Enumerated, and the Vaitaraṇī Go-dāna Rite

Devanagari script

अङ्गुलीयकवासांसि ब्राह्मणाय निवेदयेत् / इममुच्चारयेन्मन्त्रं संगृह्य सजलान्कुशान्

Transliteration

aṅgulīyakavāsāṃsi brāhmaṇāya nivedayet / imamuccārayenmantraṃ saṃgṛhya sajalānkuśān

Translation

Hendaklah dipersembahkan cincin dan pakaian kepada seorang Brahmana. Kemudian, sambil memegang rumput kuśa yang dibasahi air di tangan, hendaklah melafazkan mantra ini.

Word by Word

• aṅgulīyaka-vāsāṃsi: rings and garments
• aṅgulīyaka-vāsāṃsi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅgulīyaka (प्रातिपदिक) + vāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva compound (द्वन्द्व) ‘ring(s) and garments’; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• brāhmaṇāya: to a Brahmin
• brāhmaṇāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन)

• nivedayet: should offer/present
• nivedayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni+vid (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• imam: this
• imam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• uccārayet: should recite/utter
• uccārayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud+car (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• mantram: mantra
• mantram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• saṃgṛhya: having taken up
• saṃgṛhya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam+grah (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यबन्त), ‘having taken/collected’

• sa-jalān: wet/with water
• sa-jalān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (उपसर्ग/सह-प्रातिपदिक) + jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya compound (कर्मधारय) ‘with water’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifies ‘kuśān’

• kuśān: kuśa grass (blades)
• kuśān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Immediately before mantra recitation within the Vaitaraṇī-related śrāddha/dāna sequence

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna and mantra must be joined with śuddhi (purity) and proper adhikāra (qualified recipient) for ritual efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Karma performed with sattvic discipline supports inner purification.

Application: Give respectfully to qualified recipients; begin solemn acts with a brief purification routine (clean hands, water, focused mind).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-space (śrāddha setting)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.47.30 (the mantra to be recited); Garuda Purana 2.47.26-28 (preceding ritual constructions)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana
• Kusha grass
• Mantra

FAQs

What is the importance of offering clothes and a ring in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse frames such gifts (dāna) to a Brāhmaṇa as a prescribed step within the rite, supporting the ritual’s completeness and merit while honoring the officiant who carries the procedure.

Why does the verse specify holding water-moistened kuśa grass while reciting a mantra?

Kuśa with water is a standard ritual implement for purity and sankalpa-like actions; the verse indicates the correct physical posture/aid for mantra-recitation within the funerary sequence.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha/antyeṣṭi, follow the rite with cleanliness, proper materials, and respectful giving; more broadly, cultivate generosity and reverence for sacred duties performed on behalf of the departed.