Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths
ततो दाहः प्रकर्तव्यस्तैश्च पुत्तलकैः सह / सूतकान्ते तदा पुत्त्रैः कार्यं शान्तिकपौष्टिकम्
tato dāhaḥ prakartavyastaiśca puttalakaiḥ saha / sūtakānte tadā puttraiḥ kāryaṃ śāntikapauṣṭikam
ต่อจากนั้นพึงประกอบพิธีเผาศพพร้อมกับปุตตลกะ (หุ่น/รูปแทน) เหล่านั้น ครั้นสิ้นระยะสุตกะ (มลทินพิธีกรรม) แล้ว บุตรทั้งหลายพึงทำพิธีศานติกะและเปาษฏิกะเพื่อความสงบและความเจริญโดยชอบธรรม
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: After cremation; śānti-pauṣṭika performed after sūtaka ends
Concept: Antyeṣṭi and post-impurity rites are obligatory duties that re-establish ṛta (ritual order) for the living and support the departed’s transition.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as purifier (citta-śuddhi) and maintainer of dharmic order; recognition of the body’s impermanence and the continuity of duty.
Application: Perform cremation properly (including prescribed substitutes like puttalaka when required), observe sūtaka, then complete śānti and pauṣṭika rites through the sons to normalize household worship and social participation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: ritual site / domestic space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana, Pretakalpa: antyeṣṭi-vidhi and sūtaka-śuddhi sections (contextual continuity around 2.4); Garuda Purana: śrāddha/tilodaka procedures following cremation (adjacent passages)
This verse places śāntika (pacificatory) and pauṣṭika (welfare/prosperity) rites after the sūtaka period, indicating they are meant to restore ritual harmony and strengthen auspiciousness for the family and the departed’s transition.
It gives a clear order: first perform dāha (cremation), including prescribed substitutes/effigies (puttalakas) where applicable; then, after sūtaka ends, the sons perform follow-up śānti and welfare rites.
Follow a disciplined sequence in bereavement: complete the cremation rites properly, observe the sūtaka period as per tradition, and then perform the appropriate concluding śānti rites to close mourning with responsibility and composure.