Shloka 5

Sapindīkaraṇa: Timing, Eligibility, Gotra Rules, and Yearlong Śrāddha

with Vṛṣotsarga and Ghaṭa-dāna

Devanagari script

घटदानं कथं कार्यं सपिण्डीकरणे कृते / कथयस्व प्रसादेन हीताय जगतां प्रभो

Transliteration

ghaṭadānaṃ kathaṃ kāryaṃ sapiṇḍīkaraṇe kṛte / kathayasva prasādena hītāya jagatāṃ prabho

Translation

సపిణ్డీకరణం పూర్తైన తరువాత ఘటదానం ఎలా చేయాలి? హే జగత్ప్రభో, కరుణతో అందరి హితార్థం దయచేసి వివరించండి.

Word by Word

• घटदानम्: the donation of a pot
• घटदानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घट-दान (प्रातिपदिक; घट + दान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (घटस्य दानम्)

• कथम्: how?
• कथम्: Sambandha (Question/प्रश्न)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय

• कार्यम्: to be done; obligatory
• कार्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (Predicate adjective/विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + यत् (कृत्-प्रत्यय) → कार्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तव्यतार्थक-विशेषण (gerundive/obligatory)

• सपिण्डीकरणे: in the sapiṇḍīkaraṇa rite
• सपिण्डीकरणे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स-पिण्डी-करण (प्रातिपदिक; स + पिण्ड + करण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषभावः (सपिण्डीकरण-क्रिया)

• कृते: when (it is) done; after being performed
• कृते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृत्) → कृत (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययः; 'सपिण्डीकरणे कृते' = सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute)

• कथयस्व: tell (me)
• कथयस्व: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथय् (धातु, णिजन्त)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• प्रसादेन: by (your) grace/favor
• प्रसादेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रसाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• हीताय: for the welfare (of)
• हीताय: Sampradana (Beneficiary/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from धा/हि)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग?—अत्र चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थ-चतुर्थी (for the benefit)

• जगताम्: of beings/of the worlds
• जगताम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• प्रभो: O Lord
• प्रभो: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra) addressing Lord Vishnu

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Sapindana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After completion of sapiṇḍīkaraṇa

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna (ghaṭa-dāna) performed in the correct sequence after sapiṇḍīkaraṇa sustains pitṛ-kārya and expresses compassion as dharma for the welfare of beings.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: selfless, rule-guided giving purifies the doer and supports orderly saṁsāric duties.

Application: After completing sapiṇḍīkaraṇa, perform prescribed donations (like water-pot) with proper intention, recipient, and timing; treat ritual charity as structured remembrance and social support.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual context (post-sapiṇḍīkaraṇa)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: śrāddha-dāna items lists (ghaṭa, vastra, anna, etc.) in śrāddha chapters (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa

FAQs

What is the importance of ghaṭa-dāna in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse frames ghaṭa-dāna as a specific, rule-based rite to be done in connection with sapiṇḍīkaraṇa, implying it is an intentional offering meant to support the proper completion of post-death obligations and welfare.

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

By asking about rites performed after sapiṇḍīkaraṇa, the verse situates ritual correctness as part of the structured post-death process—helping ensure the departed is properly transitioned into the ancestral order (Pitṛ-sambandha).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha-related rites, seek proper guidance and do them with clarity and compassion—treating ritual giving (like ghaṭa-dāna) as a disciplined act of responsibility toward ancestors and community welfare.