Shloka 43

Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy

Devanagari script

सामगाय शिवोद्देशात्प्रदद्यात्कलधौतकम् / यमोद्देशात्तिलांल्लोहं ततो दद्याच्च दक्षिणाम्

Transliteration

sāmagāya śivoddeśātpradadyātkaladhautakam / yamoddeśāttilāṃllohaṃ tato dadyācca dakṣiṇām

Translation

سام گانے والے (سامگ) کو شیو کے نام پر خالص کیا ہوا سونا دان کرنا چاہیے۔ یم کے نام پر تل اور لوہا دان کرے؛ پھر اس کے بعد دَکْشِنا بھی پیش کرے۔

Word by Word

• सामगाय: to a Sāmaveda-chanter
• सामगाय: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th), एकवचन; Dative singular

• शिव-उद्देशात्: for (the intention of) Shiva
• शिव-उद्देशात्: हेतु/अपादान (Hetu/Ablative of cause/purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; Ablative singular; ‘for the purpose/intention of Śiva’

• प्र-दा॒द्यात्: should give
• प्र-दा॒द्यात्: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; Parasmaipada; from √दा with prefix प्र

• कलधौतकम्: gold (refined gold)
• कलधौतकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलधौतक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• यम-उद्देशात्: for (the intention of) Yama
• यम-उद्देशात्: हेतु/अपादान (Hetu/Ablative of cause/purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; Ablative singular; ‘for the intention of Yama’

• तिलान्: sesame seeds
• तिलान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; Accusative plural

• लोहम्: iron/metal
• लोहम्: कर्म (Karma/Object; with तिलान् as co-object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: कालाधिकरण (Temporal adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रम/अनन्तरार्थक (adverb: then/thereafter)

• दद्यात्: should give
• दद्यात्: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; Parasmaipada

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• दक्षिणाम्: honorarium/fee
• दक्षिणाम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-associated dāna sequence; dakṣiṇā given after the specified deity-uddeśa gifts.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Deity-specific dāna: gold for Sāma-chanter under Śiva-uddeśa; sesame and iron under Yama-uddeśa; completion with dakṣiṇā.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual action as purifier when aligned with cosmic governance (Śiva as auspiciousness; Yama as dharma-niyantā).

Application: Complete rites without omission: appropriate materials, correct intention (uddeśa), and fair compensation to officiants.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.40 (sequence of śrāddha/antyeṣṭi adjunct gifts and fees)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Yama
• Sāmaga (Sāma Veda chanter)

FAQs

What is the importance of deity-specific dāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that offerings are made with a clear dedication (uddeśa) to particular deities—Śiva or Yama—so the charity aligns with the rite’s intended spiritual purpose during śrāddha and post-death observances.

Why are sesame (tila) and iron (loha) offered with Yama in Garuda Purana death rituals?

Here, sesame and iron are prescribed specifically under Yama’s dedication, reflecting traditional śrāddha materials associated with protection, expiation, and orderly passage under Yama’s jurisdiction in the post-death framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform charity with clear intention and proper recipients: support Vedic learning (e.g., qualified chanters/priests), give meaningful materials in memory of the departed, and ensure fair dakṣiṇā—ethical giving done with dedication is the core takeaway.