Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 44
Dāna for the Preta: Supreme Gifts, Yama’s Pacification, and Viṣṇu-Smaraṇa at the Time of Death
वयं हेम वयं धान्यं वयं मधु वयं घृतम् / वयं विप्रा वयं देवा वयं शम्भुश्च भूर्भुवः
vayaṃ hema vayaṃ dhānyaṃ vayaṃ madhu vayaṃ ghṛtam / vayaṃ viprā vayaṃ devā vayaṃ śambhuśca bhūrbhuvaḥ
“我们是黄金；我们是谷粮；我们是蜂蜜；我们是酥油（ghee）。我们是婆罗门；我们是诸天（Deva）；我们是商布（Śambhu，湿婆），我们亦是诸界——Bhū与Bhuva。”
Preta/spirits (collective voice) as described in the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue context
Concept: Sarvātmakatva (all-as-self) / the divine as the substance of offerings, beings, and worlds.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as antaryāmin and upādāna-kāraṇa (immanent ruler and material cause) with a nondual flavor.
Application: Contemplate the sacred in food, wealth, and social/divine orders; reduce possessiveness by seeing resources and roles as belonging to the divine.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.30.45 (continued cosmic ‘I am’ declarations); Garuda Purana 2.30.46-47 (karma, dharma/adharma, liberation)
FAQs
This verse groups grain, honey, and ghee as sacred supports of life and ritual, indicating that offerings tied to nourishment and yajña-symbolism are central to sustaining dharma and aiding post-death rites.
By proclaiming identity with ritual wealth (gold), food (grain), and sacred oblations (honey, ghee), the verse reflects a post-death perspective where the departed is closely linked to what is offered and remembered through rites—suggesting that ritual acts shape the preta’s experience and status.
Treat food, wealth, and ritual resources as sacred trusts: give charity, support priests/learned persons, and perform remembrance/śrāddha with sincerity—using offerings that symbolize nourishment and purity.