Shloka 59

Explanation of the Sapiṇḍana Rite; Causes of Pretahood; Viṣṇu Worship and Preta-ghaṭa Dāna

Devanagari script

सम्पूज्य विधिवद्राजन्धूपैः कुसुमचन्दनैः / ततो दुग्धाज्यसहितं घटं देयं हिरण्मयम्

Transliteration

sampūjya vidhivadrājandhūpaiḥ kusumacandanaiḥ / tato dugdhājyasahitaṃ ghaṭaṃ deyaṃ hiraṇmayam

Translation

ข้าแต่พระราชา เมื่อบูชาโดยถูกต้องด้วยธูป ดอกไม้ และจันทน์แล้ว จากนั้นพึงถวายหม้อทองคำที่บรรจุน้ำนมและเนยใสเป็นทาน

Word by Word

• सम्पूज्य: having worshipped
• सम्पूज्य: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-√पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund) ‘सम्पूज्य’

• विधिवत्: according to the prescribed rite
• विधिवत्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधिवत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; प्रकारवाचक (according to rule)

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, सम्बोधन (8th/सम्बोधन), एकवचनम्

• धूपैः: with incense
• धूपैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचनम्

• कुसुम: flowers
• कुसुम: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुसुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रातिपदिकम् (समासपूर्वपदत्वेन)

• चन्दनैः: with sandalwood
• चन्दनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचनम्

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; क्रम/अनन्तरार्थक

• दुग्ध: milk
• दुग्ध: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुग्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रातिपदिकम् (समासपूर्वपदत्वेन)

• आज्य: ghee
• आज्य: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रातिपदिकम् (समासपूर्वपदत्वेन)

• सहितम्: accompanied with
• सहितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहित (कृदन्त; √सह् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘सहित’; नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (घटम् इति विशेष्यस्य)

• घटम्: pot
• घटम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्

• देयम्: to be given
• देयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देय (कृदन्त; √दा धातु)
• Form: भाव्य/कर्तव्यतार्थक कृदन्त (यत्) ‘देय’; नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (घटम् इत्यस्य विधेय-विशेषणम्)

• हिरण्मयम्: golden
• हिरण्मयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हिरण्/हिरण्य + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (हिरण्यस्य मयः); नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (घटम् इति विशेष्यस्य)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra; addressed here as 'O King')

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After pūjā upacāras; immediately before the formal act of dāna within śrāddha-associated observance.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna should be preceded by proper worship; sanctification (saṃskāra) transforms a material object into a dharmic offering.

Vedantic Theme: Outer ritual supports inner recollection (smaraṇa) and sattva; action becomes worship when offered rightly.

Application: Before giving, cultivate respect: prepare, purify, and offer with gratitude; avoid careless or impulsive charity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-altar/mandapa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.27.57 (what is to be given); Garuda Purana 2.27.60 (fruit of the act)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of giving a golden pot with milk and ghee in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents it as a prescribed act of dāna following proper worship; the gift symbolizes ritually sanctioned support and merit (puṇya) connected with post-death rites.

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

Indirectly, it situates correct ritual worship and charity as part of the śrāddha/funeral-duty framework that the Garuda Purana links to the deceased’s welfare and the family’s dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform rites with care and cleanliness, and pair ritual observance with sincere charity (as feasible), emphasizing reverence, generosity, and dutiful conduct.