Shloka 21

The Explanation of the Post-funeral Rites (Aurdhvadehika) and Related Matters

Devanagari script

क्रियते मानुषाणान्तु सद्य आहुतिकारणात् / सद्याहुतिकरं पुण्यं तीर्थे तद्दाह उत्तमः

Transliteration

kriyate mānuṣāṇāntu sadya āhutikāraṇāt / sadyāhutikaraṃ puṇyaṃ tīrthe taddāha uttamaḥ

Translation

สำหรับมนุษย์ พิธีกระทำโดยพลันเพราะจำเป็นต้องถวายอาหุติทันที บุญที่เกิดจากอาหุติฉับพลันนั้นเป็นสิริมงคล; และการเผาศพ ณ ตีรถะ (สถานที่ศักดิ์สิทธิ์) นับว่ายอดเยี่ยมที่สุด

Word by Word

• क्रियते: is performed
• क्रियते: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive): 'is done/performed'

• मानुषाणाम्: of humans/people
• मानुषाणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• तु: however/indeed
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक अव्यय (but/however; emphatic)

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (immediately)

• आहुति-कारणात्: because of the offering-cause
• आहुति-कारणात्: अपादान/हेतु (Hetu)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आहुति (प्रातिपदिक) + कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'because of the cause/reason of offering'

• सद्यः-आहुति-करम्: causing immediate offering
• सद्यः-आहुति-करम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय) + आहुति (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'that which makes immediate offering' (qualifying puṇyam)

• पुण्यम्: merit/holy act
• पुण्यम्: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तीर्थे: at a sacred place
• तीर्थे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम; विशेषण (referring back)

• दाहः: cremation
• दाहः: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उत्तमः: excellent/best
• उत्तमः: विधेयविशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; गुणवाचक विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Immediate performance (sadyah) of āhuti-related rite; cremation ideally at a tīrtha.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: For humans, immediate performance is required due to prompt āhuti; immediate oblations generate puṇya; cremation at a tīrtha is best.

Vedantic Theme: Purificatory action (karma) performed with right intent and sacred context supports sattva and prepares the mind for higher pursuit.

Application: Do not unduly delay essential antyeṣṭi fire-offerings; when feasible and customary, choose a recognized tīrtha/holy cremation site for enhanced ritual sanctity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.35 (antyeṣṭi procedure and merit of proper timing/place)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Tirtha
• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of sadyāhuti in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that prompt fire-offerings (sadyāhuti) are a key reason the human funeral rite is done immediately, and that such immediate oblations generate puṇya (merit).

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

By emphasizing immediate rites and oblations, the verse implies that timely post-death rituals support the departed’s transition, aligning the funeral process with dharmic order and merit-making.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform essential last rites without undue delay, ensure proper fire-offerings as per tradition, and—when feasible and appropriate—choose a recognized sacred place (tīrtha) for cremation to honor the deceased.