Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

आसनोपानहौ च्छत्रं मुद्रिका च कमण्डलुः / भाजनं भाजनाधारं वस्त्राण्यष्टविधं पदम्

Transliteration

āsanopānahau cchatraṃ mudrikā ca kamaṇḍaluḥ / bhājanaṃ bhājanādhāraṃ vastrāṇyaṣṭavidhaṃ padam

Translation

ଆସନ ଓ ପାଦୁକା, ଛତ୍ର, ମୁଦ୍ରିକା ଓ କମଣ୍ଡଲୁ; ଭାଜନ ଓ ଭାଜନାଧାର, ଏବଂ ବସ୍ତ୍ର—ଏହି ଅଷ୍ଟବିଧ ସାମଗ୍ରୀ (ଅର୍ପଣ) ଅଟେ।

Word by Word

• आसन-उपानहौ: a seat and footwear
• आसन-उपानहौ: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; item-list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक) + उपानह् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; Nominative dual

• छत्रम्: umbrella
• छत्रम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; item-list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• मुद्रिका: ring/seal-ring
• मुद्रिका: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; item-list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कमण्डलुः: water-pot (kamaṇḍalu)
• कमण्डलुः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; item-list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कमण्डलु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• भाजनम्: vessel
• भाजनम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; item-list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• भाजन-आधारम्: vessel-stand/support
• भाजन-आधारम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; item-list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाजन (प्रातिपदिक) + आधार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• वस्त्राणि: garments
• वस्त्राणि: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; item-list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• अष्ट-विधम्: eightfold/of eight kinds
• अष्ट-विधम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; agrees with पदम्; Nominative singular

• पदम्: set/item (category)
• पदम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; item-list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Dāna-preparation stage within śrāddha sequence (after offerings/tarpaṇa, before concluding blessings).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prescribed set (aṣṭavidha) of provisions to be offered—structured generosity aligned with rite.

Vedantic Theme: Dāna as karma-yoga: offering necessities reduces possessiveness and supports sattva.

Application: Prepare the eight items as a complete set for gifting in the rite: āsana, pādukā, chatra, mudrikā, kamaṇḍalu, bhājana, bhājanādhāra, vastra.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: dāna/ritual distribution area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.40.41 (specific dāna to eminent brāhmaṇa)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of the eightfold dāna (aṣṭavidha padam) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse enumerates a standard set of eight practical items to be offered as dāna in rites connected with the departed, emphasizing supportive provisions as part of śrāddha-related observance.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda context, such prescribed donations are presented as ritual supports for the departed’s post-death condition, aligning household charity with the narrative of the preta’s transitional journey.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Perform śrāddha with sincerity and include charitable giving—useful items like clothing or vessels—to honor ancestors while cultivating generosity and dharma in daily life.