Shloka 20
The Narrative of the Five Pretas
Eligibility for rites and jīvac-chrāddha procedure
स्वस्तीत्येव तथाक्षय्यं जलं दत्त्वाथ तान्द्विजान् / विसर्जयेत्स्मरन्विष्णुं देवमष्टाक्षरं विभुम्
svastītyeva tathākṣayyaṃ jalaṃ dattvātha tāndvijān / visarjayetsmaranviṣṇuṃ devamaṣṭākṣaraṃ vibhum
เมื่อกล่าวว่า “สวัสดิ” แล้วพึงถวาย ‘น้ำอักษัยยะ’ อันไม่สิ้นพร; ครั้นแล้วพึงส่งทวิชะเหล่านั้นกลับด้วยความเคารพ พร้อมระลึกถึงพระวิษณุ ผู้แผ่ซ่านทั่ว ผู้เป็นเทวะแห่งมนต์แปดพยางค์
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: At the conclusion: svasti-vācana, akṣayya-jala offering, then brāhmaṇa visarjana.
Concept: Smaraṇa of Viṣṇu sanctifies and seals ritual action; the ‘akṣayya’ offering symbolizes inexhaustible merit when joined with auspicious intent and devotion.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-smaraṇa as purifier; nāma/mantra as support for steadiness of mind (citta-śuddhi) and orientation toward the all-pervading Brahman/Īśvara.
Application: End rites with a clear benediction and a moment of focused remembrance (japa/smaraṇa) rather than rushing; cultivate closure with gratitude.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: ritual-space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.8 (akṣayya-jala, visarjana, Viṣṇu-smaraṇa)
FAQs
This verse presents akṣayya-jala as a merit-bearing offering made with auspicious words (“svasti”), implying that the rite should conclude with a pure, imperishable-intent gift that supports the śrāddha’s spiritual efficacy.
By directing the performer to remember Viṣṇu and the aṣṭākṣara mantra at the rite’s conclusion, the verse links post-death ritual action with devotional remembrance, a key support for the departed’s auspicious transition in the Preta-kāṇḍa framework.
Conclude offerings with respectful closure—blessing, a simple water offering, gratitude to officiants—and steady remembrance of Viṣṇu (or the aṣṭākṣara), emphasizing sincerity, purity, and dharmic completion of the rite.