Shloka 17

The Explanation of the Post-funeral Rites (Aurdhvadehika) and Related Matters

Devanagari script

आदौ कृत्वा धनिष्ठाञ्च एतन्नक्षत्रपञ्चकम् / रेवत्यन्तं सदा दूष्यमशुभं सर्वदा भवेत्

Transliteration

ādau kṛtvā dhaniṣṭhāñca etannakṣatrapañcakam / revatyantaṃ sadā dūṣyamaśubhaṃ sarvadā bhavet

Translation

ధనిష్ఠతో ప్రారంభమై రేవతీ వరకు ఉన్న ఈ నక్షత్రపంచకం సదా దూషితమని చెప్పబడింది; కర్మారంభానికి ఎల్లప్పుడూ అశుభఫలదాయకం అవుతుంది।

Word by Word

• आदौ: at first
• आदौ: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; काल/क्रमवाचक अव्यय (temporal/sequence adverb): 'in the beginning/first'

• कृत्वा: having done/after doing
• कृत्वा: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive); 'having done'

• धनिष्ठान्: (the nakṣatra) Dhaniṣṭhā (as objects)
• धनिष्ठान्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनिष्ठा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन; proper noun (nakṣatra-name)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Samuccaya)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम; विशेषण (demonstrative)

• नक्षत्रपञ्चकम्: the set of five nakṣatras
• नक्षत्रपञ्चकम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पञ्चक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (determinative): 'five (group) of nakṣatras'

• रेवती-अन्तम्: ending with Revatī
• रेवती-अन्तम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रेवती (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'ending with Revatī' (qualifying pañcakam)

• सदा: always
• सदा: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time): 'always'

• दूष्यम्: defiling/tainted
• दूष्यम्: विधेयविशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दूष्य (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-विशेषण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; भाव्य/योग्य अर्थ (fit to be defiled/inauspicious)

• अशुभम्: inauspicious
• अशुभम्: विधेयविशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण

• सर्वदा: at all times
• सर्वदा: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb): 'at all times'

• भवेत्: would be/should be
• भवेत्: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Timing: Avoid rites during pañcaka nakṣatra set (Dhaniṣṭhā–Revatī).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śubha-aśubha kāla (auspicious/inauspicious time) governs eligibility for rites; pañcaka is ritually दूष्य (tainted).

Vedantic Theme: Karma operates through niyati-like order; dharma includes right time (kāla) as a condition for right action.

Application: Avoid initiating saṃskāras/śrāddha/major undertakings during the pañcaka nakṣatra set; consult pañcāṅga for muhūrta-śuddhi.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.35 (pañcaka-doṣa and timing rules for rites)

Characters & Entities

• Dhaniṣṭhā
• Revatī
• Nakṣatra (lunar mansions)

FAQs

What is the importance of Nakshatra Panchaka (Dhaniṣṭhā to Revatī) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse marks the Dhaniṣṭhā-to-Revatī cluster as inherently “dūṣya” (tainted), indicating it should be treated as inauspicious for initiating sensitive rites such as death-related rituals and śrāddha observances.

How does this verse guide ritual timing in the context of Preta Kanda teachings?

Preta Kanda emphasizes correct observance to support the departed; here, the text warns that rites begun under this five-nakṣatra span are considered inauspicious, implying practitioners should choose alternate timings when possible.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When planning śrāddha or related rites, consult a traditional pañcāṅga and a qualified priest/astrologer to avoid the Dhaniṣṭhā–Revatī panchaka window when feasible, prioritizing calm, dharmic performance of the rite.