Preta Kalpa Adhyaya 34 Shloka 96 - Garuda Purana | Urdu | Vedapath

Vyasa

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Shloka 96

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

Devanagari script

प्रेतस्य प्रतिमा ह्येषा सर्वोपकरणैर्युता / सर्वरत्नसमायुक्ता तव विप्रनिवेदिता

Transliteration

pretasya pratimā hyeṣā sarvopakaraṇairyutā / sarvaratnasamāyuktā tava vipraniveditā

Translation

یہ مرحوم روح (پریت) کی نمائندہ مورتی ہے؛ یہ تمام لوازمات سے آراستہ اور ہر طرح کے جواہرات سے مزین ہے؛ برہمن کے وسیلے سے یہ آپ کی خدمت میں نذر کی گئی ہے۔

Word by Word

pretasyaof the departed (spirit)

pratimāimage, effigy

hiindeed

eṣāthis

sarva-upakaraṇaiḥwith all implements/accessories

yutāendowed, furnished

sarva-ratna-samāyuktāfully adorned with all jewels

tavato you/your

vipra-niveditāpresented/offered by the brāhmaṇa

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vainateya, within the Preta Kanda framework)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During preta-related offering/dāna sequence following preliminary worship and before/with formal declaration.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Karmic support through ritual proxy: furnishing the preta’s representative with requisites and jewels, then offering through a brāhmaṇa as a sanctioned conduit.

Vedantic Theme: Subtle continuity of saṃskāra and obligation beyond death; dharmic action (dāna/arpana) as a means to relieve transitional suffering and reorder bonds.

Application: When performing preta-related rites, prepare the representative offering completely (upakara, ratna, necessities) and formally hand it over via a brāhmaṇa with explicit declaration.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space with effigy (pratimā) and offering articles

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34.95 (mantra recitation context); Garuda Purana 2.34.97 (self/deity identification; bed-gift)

Characters & Entities

Pretas

Vipra (Brahmin)

FAQs

What is the importance of a preta pratimā (effigy) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse frames the pratimā as a ritual representative of the departed, formally equipped with requisite items and offered via a vipra, indicating a sanctioned method of transferring ritual support/merit to the deceased.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death in the Garuda Purana context?

By emphasizing offerings made for the preta through proper rites, it implies that post-death welfare is aided by structured rituals performed by the living, especially through authorized intermediaries (vipras).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform remembrance and śrāddha-related duties with sincerity and proper procedure—supporting family dharma, charity, and respectful ritual conduct—rather than treating death rites as mere formality.