Shloka 5

On Untimely Death and the Explanation of Pleasure and Pain, Gain and Loss

Vṛṣotsarga and Preta-Uddhāra Rites

Devanagari script

आघारावाज्यभागौ च चक्षुषी च प्रदा पयेत् / प्रथमे ऽहरिति मन्त्रेण होतव्याश्च षडाहुतीः (तयः)

Transliteration

āghārāvājyabhāgau ca cakṣuṣī ca pradā payet / prathame 'hariti mantreṇa hotavyāśca ṣaḍāhutīḥ (tayaḥ)

Translation

మొదట ఆఘార మరియు ఆజ్యభాగ ఆహుతులను సమర్పించి, తరువాత దృష్టి-కల్యాణార్థం రెండు ఆహుతులను అర్పించాలి. మొదటి కర్మలో ‘అహరి…’ అని ప్రారంభమయ్యే మంత్రంతో అగ్నిలో ఆరు ఆహుతులు హోమించవలెను।

Word by Word

• आघारौ: the two āghāra offerings
• आघारौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आघार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), द्विवचन

• आज्यभागौ: the two portions of ghee
• आज्यभागौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आज्य-भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (आज्यस्य भागः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

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

• चक्षुषी: the two ‘cakṣuṣī’ (eye-related rites/offerings)
• चक्षुषी: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन (द्वे ‘चक्षुषी’ इति वैदिक-प्रयोगः)

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

• प्रदापयेत्: should cause to be given / should offer
• प्रदापयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) + णिच् (प्रदापय)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative)

• प्रथमे: in the first (mantra/instance)
• प्रथमे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रथम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन; क्रमवाचक-विशेषण

• अहर्: day (as mantra-word)
• अहर्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन्/अहर् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (मन्त्रपद-रूप)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उद्धरण-चिह्न (quotative particle)

• मन्त्रेण: with the mantra
• मन्त्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• होतव्याः: should be offered
• होतव्याः: Vidhi (विधेय/आज्ञा)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हु (धातु) → होतव्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्), बहुवचन; ‘होतव्याः’ = to be offered

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

• षट्-आहुतीः: six oblations
• षट्-आहुतीः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षट् + आहुति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (षट् आहुतयः), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: At the homa phase after puryukṣaṇa; begins with āghāra/ājya-bhāga, then specified āhutis.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Begin homa with āghāra and ājya-portions, then specific oblations (cakṣuṣī) and a fixed number of āhutis with the ‘ahar…’ mantra—ritual order and mantra are essential.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda (mantra) and karma (yajña) cooperate; disciplined sequence reflects cosmic order (ṛta) and cultivates inner clarity (sattva).

Application: Follow the exact homa sequence and counts; use correct mantras and ensure proper ghee offerings; avoid altering prescribed numbers without śāstric authority.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: fire-altar (agni-kunda)

Cross References

Related Themes: 2.41.4 for preparation and puryukṣaṇa preceding homa; Garuda Purana homa/śānti sections that specify āghāra, ājya-bhāga, and āhuti counts

Characters & Entities

• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of āghāra and ājya-bhāga offerings in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse places āghāra and ājya-bhāga at the start of the rite, indicating they are foundational ghee-offerings that establish the homa sequence before other targeted oblations are made.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana narrative?

Rather than describing the soul’s journey directly, it gives the correct ritual actions (āhutis with specific mantras) believed to support orderly post-death transitions and the departed’s welfare through Vedic rite.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing antyeṣṭi/śrāddha rites, follow a qualified priest and maintain correct sequence and mantra-usage; more broadly, it teaches disciplined, step-by-step observance in dharmic duties done for ancestors.