Shloka 25

Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga

Path to Yama

Devanagari script

शताञ्जलि यदा पक्षिन्नाद्ये त्रिंशत्तदाहनि / चत्वारिंशद्द्वितीये ऽह्नि त्रिंशदह्नि तृतीयके

Transliteration

śatāñjali yadā pakṣinnādye triṃśattadāhani / catvāriṃśaddvitīye 'hni triṃśadahni tṛtīyake

Translation

اے پرندے (گرُڑ)! جب اَنجلیوں کی تعداد سو مقرر ہو، تو پہلے دن تیس؛ دوسرے دن چالیس؛ اور تیسرے دن تیس (اَنجلیاں) ہوتی ہیں۔

Word by Word

• शताञ्जलि: a hundred handfuls (anjalis)
• शताञ्जलि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; परिमाणवाचक (a set of 100 anjalis)

• यदा: when
• यदा: Sambandha (Temporal connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (when)

• पक्षिन्: O bird (Garuda)
• पक्षिन्: Sambodhana (Vocative/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन

• आद्ये: on the first (day)
• आद्ये: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण-विशेषण

• त्रिंशत्: thirty
• त्रिंशत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रिंशत् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्द; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (numeral qualifier)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Sambandha (Temporal/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (then)

• अहनि: on the day
• अहनि: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• चत्वारिंशत्: forty
• चत्वारिंशत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चत्वारिंशत् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्द; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (numeral qualifier)

• द्वितीये: on the second (day)
• द्वितीये: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण-विशेषण

• अह्नि: on the day
• अह्नि: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• त्रिंशत्: thirty
• त्रिंशत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रिंशत् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्द; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (numeral qualifier)

• अह्नि: on the day
• अह्नि: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• तृतीयके: on the third (day)
• तृतीयके: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तृतीयक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण-विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Three-day distribution within the chosen 100-anjali regimen.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When the regimen is set to one hundred anjalis, distribute them across three days as 30-40-30.

Vedantic Theme: Karma performed with precision becomes a vehicle for inner steadiness and reverence toward lineage (pitṛ-ṛṇa awareness).

Application: If adopting the 100-anjali standard, pre-measure time and water availability; execute 30 on day one, 40 on day two, 30 on day three.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.5.23 on doubling to reach 100; Garuda Purana 2.5.24 on 3-4-3 for the reduced ten

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of the 'hundred añjalis' distribution in Garuda Purana?

This verse gives a precise ritual allocation of a total offering measure (100 añjalis), dividing it into 30–40–30 across three specified days/occasions, emphasizing exactness in śrāddha-related rites.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Preta Kanda?

In the Preta Kanda, prescribed offerings support the preta’s transitional state; this verse contributes by specifying how offerings are portioned over time, reflecting structured ritual care for the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing ancestral rites, follow a qualified priest’s guidance and keep offerings consistent and intentional—this verse highlights discipline and accuracy rather than improvisation in ritual observance.