Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 29
Tila–Darbha–Maṇḍala in Aūrdhvadaihika: Protection, Eligibility, and the Merit of Salt-Dāna
गोमयेनोपलिप्ते तु दर्भस्यास्तरणे स्थितः / तत्र दत्तेन दानेन सर्वं पापं व्यपोहति
gomayenopalipte tu darbhasyāstaraṇe sthitaḥ / tatra dattena dānena sarvaṃ pāpaṃ vyapohati
Ngồi trên lớp cỏ darbha trải ra tại nơi đã được trát phân bò, rồi bố thí ngay tại đó, người ấy xua tan mọi tội lỗi.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)
Timing: Śrāddha/dāna occasion (general)
Concept: Dāna performed in a purified ritual setting has strong pāpa-kṣaya efficacy.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-śuddhi as preparation for higher realization; outer purity supporting inner purification.
Application: Before giving (especially in śrāddha/antyeṣṭi contexts), prepare a clean place (traditional gomaya-lepana where applicable) and sit on darbha; give with intention of pāpa-kṣaya.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: ritual platform/clean ground
Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha/dāna passages emphasizing pāpa-kṣaya through properly situated gifts (contextual parallel)
FAQs
This verse presents them as markers of ritual purity: sitting on darbha on a cow-dung-smeared place sanctifies the act of dāna, making it efficacious for removing pāpa.
In the Preta Kanda framework, the living support the departed through śrāddha and dāna; the verse emphasizes that properly performed, purified gifting reduces sin-related obstructions that affect the preta’s post-death journey.
When performing charity or ancestral rites, prioritize cleanliness, intentionality, and a sanctified setting—then give sincerely, as the Purana links disciplined dāna with moral and spiritual purification.