Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 14

The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body

Devanagari script

त्रयोदश पदानीत्थं प्रेतस्य शुभमिच्छता / दातव्यानि यथाशक्त्या प्रेतो ऽसौ प्रीणितो भवेत्

Transliteration

trayodaśa padānītthaṃ pretasya śubhamicchatā / dātavyāni yathāśaktyā preto 'sau prīṇito bhavet

Translation

இவ்வாறு பிரேதனின் நலனை விரும்புவோர் தம் ஆற்றலுக்கேற்ப இப் பதின்மூன்று தானப் பொருட்களை அளிக்க வேண்டும்; அவற்றால் அந்தப் பிரேதன் திருப்தியடைந்து மகிழ்வான்.

Word by Word

• trayodaśa: thirteen
• trayodaśa: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: trayodaśa (प्रातिपदिक; संख्याशब्द)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन-समर्थ (अव्यक्त-सम्बन्ध) — Numeral used attributively with ‘padāni’; indeclinable-like usage in compounds/numbering

• padāni: items/steps (offerings)
• padāni: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Neuter, Nom./Acc., Plural

• ittham: thus/in this manner
• ittham: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ittham (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• pretasya: of the departed (preta)
• pretasya: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: preta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• śubham: welfare/auspicious good
• śubham: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• icchatā: by one desiring
• icchatā: Kartr-karana (Agent in instrumental/कर्ता-करण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: iṣ (इष्) (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Present active participle; Masculine, Instrumental, Singular (agent-instrumental: ‘by one who desires’)

• dātavyāni: are to be given
• dātavyāni: Kriya (Obligation/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (दा) (धातु) + tavya (तव्य)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन — Gerundive; Neuter Nom./Acc. Plural; विधेय

• yathā-śaktyā: according to one’s capacity
• yathā-śaktyā: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोग — Adverbial compound meaning ‘according to ability’

• pretaḥ: the departed spirit
• pretaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: preta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• asau: that (one)
• asau: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adas (अदस्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Singular; सर्वनाम (demonstrative)

• prīṇitaḥ: pleased/satisfied
• prīṇitaḥ: Karta (Predicate complement/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prī (प्री) (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Past passive participle; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• bhavet: may become/would be
• bhavet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू) (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (लिङ्-लकार), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद — Optative, 3rd person, Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During preta-stage śrāddha observances; applicable whenever śrāddha is performed with capacity-based gifts.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual charity should be done ‘yathāśakti’ (according to one’s means); sincerity and capacity-based dharma still yields the preta’s satisfaction.

Vedantic Theme: Intention (bhāva) and adhikāra (capacity) in karma; dharma as compassionate obligation rather than display.

Application: Do not abandon śrāddha duties due to limited means; offer what is feasible with purity, respect, and correct intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.31.11–15: sequence on śrāddha-dāna items and their effects; broader Pretakalpa on satisfaction of preta through offerings.

Characters & Entities

• Pretas

FAQs

What is the importance of the thirteen offerings mentioned in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that the prescribed set of thirteen offerings, when given, directly contributes to the preta’s contentment and welfare, forming a key framework for post-death rites.

How does this verse explain support for the soul after death?

It presents giving (dāna/offerings) as a practical means by which the living assist the preta, emphasizing that the departed is ‘pleased’ through correctly performed rites.

What is the practical application of this teaching today?

Perform śrāddha-related giving sincerely within one’s means (yathāśaktyā), focusing on dharma and intention rather than extravagance.