Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 67
Yamamārga, Antyeṣṭi-vidhi, and Daśāhika Piṇḍa-dāna
Road to Yama and Ten-Day Offerings
अहोरात्रैस्तु नवभिः प्रेतो निष्पत्तिमाप्नुयात् / जन्तोर्निष्पन्नदेहस्य दशमे वलवत्क्षुधा
ahorātraistu navabhiḥ preto niṣpattimāpnuyāt / jantorniṣpannadehasya daśame valavatkṣudhā
نو دن اور راتوں میں پریت کا جسم مکمل ہو جاتا ہے۔ جسم بن جانے کے بعد دسویں دن اس روح کو شدید بھوک لگتی ہے۔
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Nine day-night cycles culminating on the tenth day (daśāhika context)
Concept: The preta-body becomes constituted over nine day-night cycles; on the tenth day intense hunger arises, implying dependence on offerings and karmic momentum.
Vedantic Theme: Subtle-body continuity after death; saṃskāra-driven embodiment prior to rebirth; suffering as karmic consequence within saṃsāra.
Application: Observe the ten-day sequence diligently; provide offerings/rites especially mindful of the tenth-day need, treating the period as spiritually consequential.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: liminal passage-state
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: daśāhika and piṇḍa-based limb formation (2.15.68-70); Garuda Purana: descriptions of preta hunger/thirst and relief through śrāddha (Pretakalpa passages)
FAQs
This verse states that the preta attains a completed (formed) state over nine day-night cycles, and that intense hunger arises on the tenth day—supporting the ritual emphasis on early post-death offerings and rites.
It describes an early transitional phase where the departed is spoken of as a preta whose post-death embodiment becomes ‘complete’ over time, indicating a staged journey rather than an instantaneous change.
It encourages timely, respectful observance of post-death rites (as per one’s tradition) and compassionate remembrance—recognizing the Garuda Purana’s focus on supporting the departed during the initial transition.