Shloka 65
Garuḍa’s Return to Vaikuṇṭha and the Comprehensive Inquiry into Death-Rites and the Preta’s Journey
मृतिर्यस्य विधानेन मरणादप्यनन्तरम् / विधिनाब्दक्रिया यस्य न स दुर्गतिमाप्नुयात्
mṛtiryasya vidhānena maraṇādapyanantaram / vidhinābdakriyā yasya na sa durgatimāpnuyāt
ผู้ใดถึงมรณกรรมตามพิธีที่พระคัมภีร์กำหนด และเมื่อสิ้นแล้วมีการประกอบศราทธะประจำปีและพิธีเกี่ยวเนื่องโดยถูกต้อง ผู้นั้นย่อมไม่ตกสู่คติอันชั่วร้าย।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vainateya)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Immediately after death (post-antyeṣṭi sequence) and annually (abda-kriyā).
Concept: Antyeṣṭi and subsequent abda-kriyā (annual śrāddha) performed according to vidhi avert durgati for the departed.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala and saṃskāra: orderly ritual action supports the jīva’s transition; dharma as a stabilizing force in saṃsāra.
Application: Ensure last rites are performed promptly and correctly; arrange annual śrāddha/abda-kriyā and related offerings through qualified officiants and family participation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Pretakalpa): discussions on antyeṣṭi, preta-śrāddha, ekoddiṣṭa and sapīṇḍīkaraṇa sequences (contextual parallels)
FAQs
This verse states that when the annual śrāddha/abda-kriyā is performed according to injunctions, it protects the departed from attaining durgati (an unfortunate post-mortem state).
It links the soul’s welfare after death to timely, rule-based rites—especially those done immediately after death and continued as annual observances—implying that ritual support influences the post-death trajectory described in the Preta Kanda.
Ensure last rites and śrāddha-related duties are performed carefully and on time (as per one’s tradition and qualified guidance), treating them as acts of dharma and responsibility toward ancestors and family continuity.