Shloka 34
Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy
अग्न आयाहीति रुद्रमुत्तरत्रैव विन्यसेत् / अग्निमीऌएति मन्त्रेण पूर्वेणैव प्रजापतिम्
agna āyāhīti rudramuttaratraiva vinyaset / agnimīḷeti mantreṇa pūrveṇaiva prajāpatim
ด้วยมนต์ขึ้นต้นว่า “อัคนะ อายาหิ…” พึงตั้งพระรุทระไว้ทางทิศเหนือ และด้วยมนต์ “อัคนิม อีเฬ…” พึงตั้งพระประชาปติไว้ทางทิศตะวันออก.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Directional devatā-nyāsa during ekoddiṣṭa mandala preparation
Concept: Mantra and directionality establish devatā-sannidhāna; ritual space mirrors cosmic order.
Vedantic Theme: Ritual as a disciplined means to purify mind and align with ṛta; devatā as functional aspects of the One approached through vidhi.
Application: During śrāddha mandala setup, place/invoke Rudra to the north with ‘Agna āyāhi…’ and Prajāpati to the east with ‘Agnim īḷe…’.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: directional placement within ritual space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.40.32-33 (materials; Govinda west); Garuda Purana 2.40.35 (Yama south; central darbha-man); Garuda Purana 2.40.36 (five kumbhas; pañcaratna)
FAQs
This verse shows that specific deities are invoked in specific directions using fixed Vedic mantras, indicating an ordered ritual map meant to align the rite with cosmic guardianship and proper sanctification.
By prescribing correct mantra-based invocation of deities like Rudra and Prajāpati, the text frames post-death rites as supports that stabilize the preta-condition and aid the onward journey through properly performed sacred procedures.
If performing śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related rites, follow competent priestly guidance for mantra and directionality; more broadly, it emphasizes disciplined, rule-based observance (vidhi) rather than improvisation in sacred duties.