Shloka 131
Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules
यस्यैतानि न दत्तानि प्रेतश्राद्धानि षोडश / पिशाचत्वंस्थिरं तस्य कृतैः श्राद्धशतैरपि
yasyaitāni na dattāni pretaśrāddhāni ṣoḍaśa / piśācatvaṃsthiraṃ tasya kṛtaiḥ śrāddhaśatairapi
جس کے لیے پریت شرادھ کے یہ سولہ کرم ادا نہ کیے جائیں، اس کا پِشَچَتْو پختہ ہو جاتا ہے؛ پھر سینکڑوں شرادھ کرنے پر بھی وہ آسانی سے دور نہیں ہوتا۔
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: The prescribed set of sixteen preta-śrāddhas within their proper post-death period; omission is portrayed as hard to remedy later.
Concept: Non-performance of the sixteen preta-śrāddhas results in a fixed piśāca-condition; later excess rites may not easily reverse the entrenched consequence.
Vedantic Theme: Karma’s time-sensitivity and niyama: certain saṃskāras must be done in their proper window; negligence hardens saṃskāra and suffering.
Application: Prioritize timely completion of the prescribed sixteen preta-śrāddhas; treat omissions as serious and seek immediate corrective guidance rather than relying on later bulk performance.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: descriptions of preta condition and the necessity of specific śrāddhas for release (contextual continuity within 2.34)
FAQs
This verse states that neglecting the prescribed set of sixteen preta-śrāddhas can result in the departed becoming fixed in a piśāca-like, restless condition, highlighting the rites as essential supports for the post-death transition.
It implies that without timely post-death rites (preta-śrāddha), the departed may not stabilize into a proper ancestral or onward state and can remain stuck as a troubled spirit, indicating the ritual framework is meant to aid orderly passage after death.
Perform post-death rites responsibly and on time (or ensure they are arranged through family/priestly guidance), and cultivate remembrance, charity, and dharmic living—so obligations to the departed are not neglected.