Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 25
Tila–Darbha–Maṇḍala in Aūrdhvadaihika: Protection, Eligibility, and the Merit of Salt-Dāna
तिलाः पवित्रास्त्रिविधा दर्भाश्च तुलसीदालम् / निवारयन्ति चैतानि दुर्गतिं यान्तमातुरम्
tilāḥ pavitrāstrividhā darbhāśca tulasīdālam / nivārayanti caitāni durgatiṃ yāntamāturam
Ang mga buto ng linga—dalisay sa tatlong anyo—kasama ang damong darbha at mga dahon ng tulasī: ang mga banal na bagay na ito’y pumipigil at nagtataboy sa masamang hantungan ng taong nagdurusa at malapit nang pumanaw.
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Mṛtyu-kāla / immediate pre-death observance
Concept: Sattvic sacred substances (tila, darbha, tulasī) help avert ‘durgati’ for one approaching death—ritual supports shaping the transition and karmic trajectory.
Vedantic Theme: Karma and saṃskāra at life’s end influence the subtle journey; sattva-enhancing acts support remembrance and auspicious passage.
Application: Keep tila, darbha, and tulasī available for last rites; employ them with mantra and śraddhā to steady the dying person and sanctify the environment.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: liminal domestic/ritual space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: deathbed observances and śrāddha materials (thematic)
FAQs
This verse states that sesame (tila), darbha grass, and tulasī leaves are inherently purifying and are used as sacred supports to avert a “durgati” (unfortunate after-death course) for one who is suffering and nearing death.
By emphasizing “durgati” versus protection, the verse implies that the dying person’s transition can be influenced by dharmic, purificatory rites—these items serve as ritual safeguards at the threshold between life and the preta-state journey.
In traditional practice, families keep tila, darbha (kuśa), and tulasī available for end-of-life prayers and last-rites preparations, treating the moment of death as a time for purification, remembrance of Hari, and dharmic observance.