Shloka 9
Preta-mārga Supports (Dāna), Chitragupta’s Accounting, and the Enumeration of Narakas
उदकुम्भप्रदानेन किङ्करास्तृप्तिमाप्नुयुः
udakumbhapradānena kiṅkarāstṛptimāpnuyuḥ
ఉదకుంభం (జలకలశం) దానం చేయుటవలన యమ కింకరులు తృప్తి పొందుతారు.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Within the post-death rite sequence (commonly during the 10–13 day observances)
Concept: Dāna (udakumbha-pradāna) yields specific beneficial effects—appeasement of Yama’s attendants—suggesting karmic causality applied to liminal passage.
Vedantic Theme: Karma operates through intention and symbolic action; fear is met with dharmic remedy rather than despair.
Application: Offer water-pot donation (or water/utility support) in memory of the departed, especially in śrāddha contexts, with a clear sankalpa for obstacle-removal.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: kiṅkara/yamadūta motifs and obstacle-removal through dāna (general); Garuda Purana: water/udaka offerings in śrāddha contexts (general)
FAQs
This verse states that offering a water-pot has an appeasing effect on Yama’s attendants, indicating it is a recommended charity connected to post-death rites and the deceased’s passage.
In the Preta Kanda context, such dānas are described as easing obstacles on the post-mortem path; here, the emphasis is that Yama’s agents are satisfied—symbolically reducing harassment or hindrance.
Perform charitable giving aligned with śrāddha intentions—such as donating water vessels or supporting access to water—while maintaining sincerity and dharmic conduct.