Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 14

Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy

Devanagari script

तडागे जलूपूर्णे वा ह्रदे वा विमलोदके / वाप्यां कूपे गवां गोष्ठे गृहे वा प्रतिमालये

Transliteration

taḍāge jalūpūrṇe vā hrade vā vimalodake / vāpyāṃ kūpe gavāṃ goṣṭhe gṛhe vā pratimālaye

Translation

或在蓄满清水的池塘，或在水澄净洁的湖泊；或在阶井或水井；在牛舍、在家中，或在安置圣像的神祠之内——这些皆为相宜之处。

Word by Word

• taḍāge: in a pond
• taḍāge: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: taḍāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• jalūpūrṇe: filled with water
• jalūpūrṇe: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jalapūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• vā: or
• vā: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (Vikalpa/विकल्प)

• hrade: in a lake
• hrade: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hrada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• vimalodake: in clear water
• vimalodake: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vimalodaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular. (vimalam udakam yasmin)

• vāpyām: in a step-well
• vāpyām: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāpī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• kūpe: in a well
• kūpe: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• gavām: of cows
• gavām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• goṣṭhe: in a cow-pen
• goṣṭhe: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: goṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• gṛhe: in a house
• gṛhe: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• pratimālaye: in a temple (abode of an image)
• pratimālaye: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratimālaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular. (pratimāyāḥ ālayaḥ)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue, instructing Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Deśa-śuddhi: suitability of place for rites—pure water sources and sanctified/domestic sacred spaces are acceptable.

Vedantic Theme: External order supports internal recollection; purity (śauca) as an aid to sattvic mind for dharmic action.

Application: Choose a clean, pure-water location or sanctified domestic/temple space for tarpaṇa/related rites when major tīrthas are unavailable.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: waterbody/domestic/sacred-site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: procedural lists of suitable places for śrāddha/tarpaṇa and rules of śauca

Characters & Entities

• Cows (Gavām)

FAQs

What is the importance of choosing a proper place for rites in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists auspicious, purity-supporting locations—especially clean water-sites and sacred/household spaces—indicating that the setting itself is part of the rite’s effectiveness and dharmic correctness.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana guidance on post-death rituals?

In the Preta Kanda’s ritual instructions, it specifies acceptable venues (near pure water, at home, in a temple, etc.), aligning with the text’s broader emphasis on properly performed offerings and observances for the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform memorial rites or prayers in clean, respectful spaces—preferably near a clean water source, at home, or in a temple—prioritizing purity, calmness, and sanctity over mere convenience.