Shloka 18

Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy

Devanagari script

अव्ययः पुण्डरीकाक्षः प्रेतमोक्षप्रदो भवेत् / तर्पणस्यावसाने च वीतरागो विमत्सरः

Transliteration

avyayaḥ puṇḍarīkākṣaḥ pretamokṣaprado bhavet / tarpaṇasyāvasāne ca vītarāgo vimatsaraḥ

Translation

అవ్యయుడైన పుండరీకాక్ష ప్రభువు ప్రేతునకు మోక్షప్రదాతగా ఉండుగాక. తర్పణం ముగిసిన తరువాత సాధకుడు విరాగి, అసూయారహితుడై ఉండాలి.

Word by Word

• avyayaḥ: imperishable
• avyayaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avyaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• puṇḍarīkākṣaḥ: lotus-eyed
• puṇḍarīkākṣaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puṇḍarīkākṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular. (puṇḍarīke iva akṣiṇī yasya)

• pretamokṣapradaḥ: giver of liberation to the deceased
• pretamokṣapradaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pretamokṣaprada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular. (Upapada Tatpurusha)

• bhavet: may he be
• bhavet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Optative (Vidhilin), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• tarpaṇasya: of the libation
• tarpaṇasya: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tarpaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• avasāne: at the end
• avasāne: Adhikarana (Location/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avasāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• vītarāgaḥ: free from passion
• vītarāgaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vītarāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vimatsaraḥ: free from envy
• vimatsaraḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vimatsara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Preta Kanda dialogue)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: at the conclusion of tarpaṇa

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Viṣṇu as prētamokṣa-prada; liberation is supported by devotion and by the performer’s inner purification (vairāgya, amātsarya).

Vedantic Theme: Mokṣa as freedom from rāga-dveṣa; īśvara-anugraha mediated through bhakti and sattva-śuddhi.

Application: Conclude tarpaṇa with a brief silent resolve: release attachment, drop comparisons and envy, and dedicate merit to the departed under Puṇḍarīkākṣa.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual setting (tarpaṇa conclusion)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha/tarpaṇa passages emphasizing sattva-śuddhi and devotion as supportive for preta-gati (general within 2.40)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Preta

FAQs

What is the importance of tarpaṇa in the Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse states that tarpaṇa, when completed with devotion to the Lotus‑eyed Imperishable Lord, is connected with the departed’s release (preta‑mokṣa) and is not merely a mechanical offering.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It implies that the departed (preta) can receive relief and onward progress when rites are performed in a Viṣṇu-centered manner, aligning ritual action with divine grace that grants release.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform remembrance/offerings for the departed with a calm mind—ending the rite by letting go of personal attachment and jealousy—so the practice becomes an act of dharma and inner purification.