Shloka 23
The Extent of Questions: Deathbed Rites, Kāla (Time), and Karma-Vipāka Rebirths
नैते निर्माल्यतां यान्ति क्रियमाणाः पुनः पुनः / तुलसी ब्राह्मणा गावो विष्णुरेकादशी खग
naite nirmālyatāṃ yānti kriyamāṇāḥ punaḥ punaḥ / tulasī brāhmaṇā gāvo viṣṇurekādaśī khaga
Ó ave (Garuda), estes nunca se tornam “restos a descartar”, ainda que usados repetidas vezes: Tulasī, os brāhmaṇas, as vacas, o Senhor Viṣṇu e Ekādaśī.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: General rule applicable across repeated ritual use (śrāddha, pūjā, vrata contexts)
Concept: Certain sacred supports retain intrinsic sanctity regardless of repeated ritual use; devotion-centered purity supersedes ordinary notions of leftover/impurity.
Vedantic Theme: Bhagavat-sambandha (connection to the Lord) as purifier; sattva and śuddhi through contact with Viṣṇu and his dear ones.
Application: Do not treat Tulasī leaves, Ekādaśī observance, cows, brāhmaṇas, or Viṣṇu-related items as mere leftovers; reuse/handle respectfully according to custom and cleanliness norms.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: ritual-space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.2.24 (five conveyances: Viṣṇu, Ekādaśī, Gītā, Tulasī, vipra-dhenu)
FAQs
This verse clarifies that certain sacred entities are exempt from becoming ‘nirmalya’—they retain sanctity even with repeated ritual use, shaping rules for purity in worship and observance.
Preta Kanda emphasizes dharmic conduct and purity; by defining what remains perpetually pure (Tulasi, Brahmanas, cows, Vishnu, Ekadashi), it guides families and priests in correct devotional and ritual practice, including rites connected with merit for the departed.
Treat Tulasi, Ekadashi observance, and service to Brahmanas/cows as inherently sacred; avoid casual disrespect, and maintain devotional purity in Vishnu worship even when items or practices recur regularly.