Shloka 36

Gayā-yātrā-vidhi: Multi-day Śrāddha Route, Pitṛ-devatās, and Akṣaya Merit at Gayā

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वा वणिग्गयाशीर्ष प्रेतराजाय पिण्डकम् / प्रददावनुजैः सार्धं स्वपितृभ्यस्ततो ददौ

Transliteration

śrutvā vaṇiggayāśīrṣa pretarājāya piṇḍakam / pradadāvanujaiḥ sārdhaṃ svapitṛbhyastato dadau

Translation

Nang marinig ang tagubilin ng pinuno ng mga mangangalakal, naghandog siya ng piṇḍa sa Panginoon ng mga preta (Yama). Pagkaraan, kasama ang kanyang mga nakababatang kapatid, naghandog siya ng mga piṇḍa sa sarili niyang mga Pitṛ (mga ninunong ama).

Word by Word

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: श्रु (धातु) + क्त्वा
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• वणिक्: the merchant
• वणिक्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वणिज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• गयाशीर्ष: to Gayā-śīrṣa
• गयाशीर्ष: Karma (Goal/कर्म-लक्ष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गया + शीर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/गति-लक्ष्य), एकवचन; समास: गयायाः शीर्षम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• प्रेतराजाय: to the king of the pretas
• प्रेतराजाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेत + राजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन; समास: प्रेतानां राजा (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• पिण्डकम्: a piṇḍa offering
• पिण्डकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्डक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• प्रददौ: gave
• प्रददौ: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अनुजैः: with (his) younger brothers
• अनुजैः: Sahakari (Accompaniment/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (सह/करण), बहुवचन

• सार्धम्: together with
• सार्धम्: Sahakari (Accompaniment/सह)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सार्धम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक (adverb meaning ‘together with’)

• स्वपितृभ्यः: from (his) own fathers/ancestors
• स्वपितृभ्यः: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), बहुवचन; समास: स्वस्य पितरः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (Sequencing/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमान्वय/कालवाचक (then/thereafter)

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa, narrating ritual practice)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Tīrtha-śrāddha sequence including offerings to Yama/preta-rāja and then to Pitṛs; performed with family participation

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual order (krama) and proper addressees matter: offerings may be directed to Yama (preta-rāja) and then to one’s Pitṛs; family cooperation strengthens pitṛ-kārya.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as harmonizing cosmic administration (Yama) and familial continuity (Pitṛs); karma becomes ‘well-placed’ through correct devatā-sambandha.

Application: Follow prescribed śrāddha sequence under competent guidance; involve siblings/family to complete obligations and avoid disputes over rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: tīrtha-kṣetra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha-vidhi passages describing devatā/pitṛ offerings and sequencing; Mentions of Yama as preta-rāja in Pretakalpa

Characters & Entities

• Yama (Preta-rāja)
• Pitṛs (ancestors)

FAQs

What is the importance of offering a piṇḍa to Yama (Preta-rāja) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse indicates a ritual sequence where a piṇḍa is first offered to Preta-rāja (Yama), acknowledging the authority governing the departed’s passage, before offerings are directed to one’s Pitṛs—supporting orderly rites for the deceased and ancestors.

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

By naming Yama as Preta-rāja and linking him with piṇḍa offerings, the verse reflects the Garuda Purana framework that the departed passes through Yama’s domain; proper śrāddha and piṇḍa-dāna are portrayed as supportive acts during this transitional phase and in relation to the Pitṛs.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform śrāddha/piṇḍa-dāna with correct intention and sequence—honoring both the cosmic order (Yama) and familial lineage (Pitṛs)—and cultivate gratitude and responsibility toward ancestors through ethical living and remembrance.