Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 92

Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules

Devanagari script

स्त्रिया दध्यन्नशयने हेमकुङ्कुममञ्जनम् / वस्त्रभूषा तथा शय्या सर्वमेतद्धि दापयेत्

Transliteration

striyā dadhyannaśayane hemakuṅkumamañjanam / vastrabhūṣā tathā śayyā sarvametaddhi dāpayet

Translation

عورت کے لیے خیرات میں دہی، پکا ہوا اناج اور بستر کی چیزیں دی جائیں؛ نیز سونا، کُنگکُم اور اُبٹن، اور کپڑے، زیور اور شَیّا—یہ سب ضرور دلوایا جائے۔

Word by Word

• striyā: by a woman
• striyā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Ekavacana; kartṛ-karaṇa sense 'by a woman'

• dadhy-anna-śayane: in (the matter of) curd, food, and bed
• dadhy-anna-śayane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dadhi (प्रातिपदिक) + anna (प्रातिपदिक) + śayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Saptamī (7th/सप्तमी), Ekavacana; dvandva (itaretara) in locative: 'in/with curd, food, and bed' (context: items to be given)

• hema-kuṅkuma-mañjanam: gold, saffron, and collyrium/ointment
• hema-kuṅkuma-mañjanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hema (प्रातिपदिक) + kuṅkuma (प्रातिपदिक) + añjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; dvandva (collection) as an item-group

• vastra-bhūṣā: clothes and ornaments
• vastra-bhūṣā: Karta (कर्ता/विधेय-सूची)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vastra (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūṣā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana; dvandva (pair)

• tathā: also
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction/adverb = 'also'

• śayyā: a bed
• śayyā: Karta (कर्ता/विधेय-सूची)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śayyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; item in list

• sarvam: all
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; viśeṣya of etat (all of this)

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; demonstrative pronoun

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; nipāta (emphasis)

• dāpayet: should cause to be given / should give
• dāpayet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (दा धातु)
• Form: Causative (ṇic) of √dā; Vidhi-liṅ (Optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Mata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Specific dānas—curd, cooked rice, bedding, gold, saffron, unguents, garments, ornaments, bed—are prescribed for a departed woman’s benefit.

Vedantic Theme: Karma expressed through compassionate giving; ritual materiality as a means of subtle support (upacāra) for the departed.

Application: When performing śrāddha-related charities for a deceased woman, include nourishing foods and comfort items along with auspicious substances, dedicating the merit properly.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: śrāddha/dāna venue (home or ritual space)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34.88 (śayyā-dāna); Garuda Purana 2.34.90 (śrāddha sequence and śayyā)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Preta
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of dāna (charitable giving) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse treats dāna as a supportive rite for the departed (preta), prescribing specific items to be given so the rite is complete and beneficial for the deceased’s post-death journey and peace.

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

Rather than describing geography like Yama’s realm here, it emphasizes ritual support: offerings and donations made by the living are presented as practical aids for the departed’s comfort and welfare in the preta stage.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

During śrāddha or memorial rites for a departed woman, families can translate this guidance into ethical giving—donating food, clothing, bedding, and needed goods (or their equivalent) to worthy recipients.