Shloka 26
Dāna for the Preta: Supreme Gifts, Yama’s Pacification, and Viṣṇu-Smaraṇa at the Time of Death
तस्माल्लोहस्य दानन्तु ब्राह्मणायातुरो ददेत् / यमायुधानां सन्तुष्ट्यै दानमेतदुदाहृतम्
tasmāllohasya dānantu brāhmaṇāyāturo dadet / yamāyudhānāṃ santuṣṭyai dānametadudāhṛtam
ฉะนั้นผู้ที่กำลังทุกข์ระทม (โดยเฉพาะยามใกล้มรณา) พึงถวายทานเป็นเหล็กแก่พราหมณ์ ทานนี้กล่าวว่าเพื่อให้เหล่าผู้ติดตามผู้ถืออาวุธของยมะพอใจ
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vainateya)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: At times of affliction, prescribed dāna (iron to a Brāhmaṇa) functions as a karmic appeasement (śānti) toward Yama’s armed attendants.
Vedantic Theme: Karma can be mitigated through dharmic acts (dāna) performed with right intention; ritualized ethics as a bridge between worlds.
Application: When ill/near death, arrange loha-dāna to a worthy Brāhmaṇa (or dharmic recipient), dedicating the act for pacification of Yamadūtas and reduction of fear.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: deathbed dānas (mahā-dāna/viśeṣa-dāna) and their stated effects on Yamadūtas
FAQs
This verse prescribes iron-dāna to a Brāhmaṇa as a specific remedial charity, said to appease Yama’s weapon-bearing attendants and reduce fear or obstruction in the post-death passage.
In the Preta Kanda context, gifts (dāna) are presented as supportive acts for the departing person, helping smooth the preta’s transition by pacifying forces associated with Yama’s realm.
Practice timely charity—especially in times of illness or crisis—by giving responsibly to worthy recipients (traditionally Brāhmaṇas), while cultivating non-harm and ethical living to lessen fear and karmic burden.