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Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 13

The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body

Devanagari script

भाजनं वस्त्रदानञ्च कुसुमञ्चाङ्गुलीयकम् / एकादशा हे दातव्यं प्रेतोद्धरणहेतवे

Transliteration

bhājanaṃ vastradānañca kusumañcāṅgulīyakam / ekādaśā he dātavyaṃ pretoddharaṇahetave

Translation

Bình đựng, sự bố thí y phục, hoa và chiếc nhẫn—những vật ấy (trong mười một lễ vật) quả thật nên đem cho, nhằm làm nhân duyên cứu độ vong linh (preta).

Word by Word
bhājanama vessel
bhājanam:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootbhājana (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular
vastra-dānamgift of cloth
vastra-dānam:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootvastra (प्रातिपदिक) + dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (वस्त्रस्य दानम्)
caand
ca:
Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootca (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)
kusumama flower
kusumam:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootkusuma (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular
caand
ca:
Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootca (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)
aṅgulīyakama ring
aṅgulīyakam:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootaṅgulīyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular
ekādaśāḥeleven (items)
ekādaśāḥ:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootekādaśa (प्रातिपदिक; संख्याशब्द)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; संख्याविशेषण (agreeing with implied ‘padāni’/items)
heO!
he:
Sambandha (Vocative particle/सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Roothe (अव्यय)
Formसम्बोधन-निपात (vocative particle)
dātavyamshould be given
dātavyam:
Kriya (Obligation/क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootdā (दा) (धातु) + tavya (तव्य)
Formकृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Gerundive/obligatory; Neuter Nom./Acc. Singular; विधेय (predicate)
preta-uddharaṇa-hetavefor the purpose of rescuing the departed (preta)
preta-uddharaṇa-hetave:
Sampradana (Purpose/सम्प्रदान)
TypeNoun
Rootpreta (प्रातिपदिक) + uddharaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + hetu (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Masculine, Dative, Singular; बहुपद-षष्ठी/तत्पुरुष-समास (प्रेतस्य उद्धरणस्य हेतवे)
Speaker

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

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During the preta period before sapīṇḍīkaraṇa; also as part of annual śrāddha gift-giving traditions.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prescribed śrāddha-dānas (vessel, clothing, flowers, ring, etc.) are to be given as a means of ‘preta-uddhāra’ (uplift/deliverance from preta-state).

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as sustaining order (ṛta/dharma) across life and death; ritual action purifies relational debts (ṛṇa) to ancestors.

Application: Follow traditional lists of śrāddha gifts according to capacity; prioritize essentials (vastra, pātra, anna) and perform with purity and intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.31.14–15: continuation of item counts (13) and their phala; broader Pretakalpa śrāddha sections on preta-uddhāra.

Characters & Entities
P
Preta

FAQs

This verse states that a prescribed set of donations—counted as eleven—should be offered specifically as a means of pretoddharaṇa, i.e., aiding the departed in the preta state.

By using the term “preta,” the verse points to the intermediate post-death condition and teaches that ritual charity (dāna) performed by relatives is considered supportive for the departed being’s onward journey and upliftment.

Perform post-death rites with sincerity and include purposeful charity—such as giving utensils and clothing—done in the departed’s name, as an ethical act of support and remembrance.

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