Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 40

The Explanation of the Post-funeral Rites (Aurdhvadehika) and Related Matters

Devanagari script

सकृदूनशतार्धेन सम्भवेत् पङ्क्तिसन्निधः / मेलनीयः शतार्धेन सन्धिः श्राद्धेन तत्त्वतः

Transliteration

sakṛdūnaśatārdhena sambhavet paṅktisannidhaḥ / melanīyaḥ śatārdhena sandhiḥ śrāddhena tattvataḥ

Translation

仅以一次行持，即便未满五十（之数），亦可得近临婆罗门供食行列之果报；然就真实义而言，正当的“连接/合缝”（sandhi）应以五十为应有尺度而行施罗陀（śrāddha）。

Word by Word

• sakṛt: once
• sakṛt: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sakṛt (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; काल/आवृत्ति (once)

• ūna-śata-ardhena: by a slightly less than half-hundred
• ūna-śata-ardhena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ūna (प्रातिपदिक) + śata (प्रातिपदिक) + ardha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ऊनं शतार्धं येन (by a slightly-less-than-fifty measure)

• sambhavet: may occur/be possible
• sambhavet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू धातु) + sam- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष एकवचन; ‘may become/should occur’

• paṅkti-sannidhaḥ: eligible for inclusion in the row
• paṅkti-sannidhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paṅkti (प्रातिपदिक) + sannidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: पङ्क्तेः सन्निधः (one fit for/near the row)

• melanīyaḥ: should be joined
• melanīyaḥ: Vidheyaviśeṣaṇa (विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: melanīya (प्रातिपदिक; from melana)
• Form: तव्यत्/अनीयर्-अर्थक (gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन; ‘to be joined/combined’

• śata-ardhena: by a half-hundred (fifty)
• śata-ardhena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata (प्रातिपदिक) + ardha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन (Instr. Sg.)

• sandhiḥ: joining/connection
• sandhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sandhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom. Sg.)

• śrāddhena: by means of śrāddha
• śrāddhena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrāddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन (Instr. Sg.)

• tattvataḥ: in reality/properly
• tattvataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tattvatas (अव्यय; from tattva)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/यथार्थ (in truth, properly)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within the counted śrāddha series; threshold vs complete measure is emphasized (less than fifty vs fifty).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Partial performance yields limited proximity/benefit, but the true ritual connection is established only by the due measure (here, fifty).

Vedantic Theme: Distinction between ābhāsa-phala (semblance result) and tattva-phala (true result) through yathāvidhi karma.

Application: Do not rely on minimal compliance; fulfill the prescribed quota/measure for the rite to be considered properly ‘joined’ and efficacious.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: paṅkti, mātrā/saṅkhyā, and completion criteria in śrāddha sequence (surrounding verses)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of paṅkti (the dining line) in Garuda Purana śrāddha?

This verse treats paṅkti-sannidhi (being in the ritual line/assembly) as a meaningful ritual condition, but emphasizes that the real and proper connection is established through correctly performed Śrāddha.

How does this verse explain the effectiveness of Śrāddha?

It distinguishes between mere proximity/participation (paṅkti-sannidhi) and the true ritual ‘sandhi’—the authentic linkage—stating that Śrāddha, done with due measure and correctness, is what truly accomplishes the intended spiritual connection.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize correctness, sincerity, and proper procedure in ancestral rites rather than treating them as social formality; consult competent tradition-bearers so the rite is performed in its intended spirit and order.