Shloka 25

The Narrative of the Five Pretas

Eligibility for rites and jīvac-chrāddha procedure

Devanagari script

श्रपयेच्चापरं वह्नौ मुद्गमिश्रं चरुं ततः / तिलतण्डुलमिश्रञ्च द्वितीयं सपवित्रकम्

Transliteration

śrapayeccāparaṃ vahnau mudgamiśraṃ caruṃ tataḥ / tilataṇḍulamiśrañca dvitīyaṃ sapavitrakam

Translation

अथ वह्नौ मुद्गमिश्रं चरुमपरं श्रपयेत्; ततः तिलतण्डुलमिश्रं द्वितीयं सपवित्रकं सिद्धयेत्।

Word by Word

• श्रपयेत्: should cook/boil
• श्रपयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रप् (धातु) + णिच् → श्रपय (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; णिजन्त (causative: cause to cook)

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

• अपरम्: another
• अपरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Case 2), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying चरुम्)

• वह्नौ: in the fire
• वह्नौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Case 7), एकवचन

• मुद्गमिश्रम्: mixed with green gram
• मुद्गमिश्रम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुद्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + मिश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Case 2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (मुद्गेन मिश्रः) विशेषण (qualifying चरुम्)

• चरुम्: cooked oblation (caru)
• चरुम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Case 2), एकवचन

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/अनन्तर (then/thereafter)

• तिलतण्डुलमिश्रम्: mixed with sesame and rice-grains
• तिलतण्डुलमिश्रम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक) + तण्डुल (प्रातिपदिक) + मिश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Case 2), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व (तिल-तण्डुल) + तत्पुरुष (तिलतण्डुलैः मिश्रः) विशेषण (qualifying द्वितीयम्/चरुम्)

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

• द्वितीयम्: the second (one)
• द्वितीयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Case 2), एकवचन; विशेषण (second)

• सपवित्रकम्: together with a pavitraka (purifying ring/strainer)
• सपवित्रकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + पवित्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Case 2), एकवचन; सहार्थक-समासभाव (with a pavitraka/strainer-ring) विशेषण

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During homa sequence preceding mantra offerings

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Precision in offerings: distinct caru preparations correspond to distinct invocations and intended ritual effects; pavitra signifies purification and eligibility.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-śuddhi through disciplined action; external purity supports inner sattva and steadiness.

Application: Prepare offerings with cleanliness and clear sequencing; treat ingredients as carriers of intention—do not mix steps or rush.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual hearth / homa-kunda

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.8.26 (mantras for offerings); Garuda Purana 2.8.22-24 (homa setup and alternatives)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Agni (Vahni)

FAQs

What is the importance of cooking caru with mudga and sesame-rice in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes specific ritual food-offerings (caru) with defined ingredients, indicating that Śrāddha-related rites require deliberate, purified preparation rather than generic food.

How does this verse connect to the Garuda Purana’s guidance on death rites?

It gives a concrete procedural step—cooking successive offerings on the sacred fire—supporting the broader Preta Kanda theme that correct rites and purity aid the departed and uphold ancestral obligations.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing Śrāddha/piṇḍa-related observances, follow a disciplined, hygienic, and intention-filled preparation, maintaining ritual purity (pavitra) and consistency in offerings.