Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 21
Explanation of Purification (Śuddhi-vyākhyāna)
कीर्तयन्नामगोत्रे तु भुवि प्रीतोस्त्विति क्षिपेत् / मित्रबन्धुजनैः सार्धं शेषं भुञ्जीत वाग्यतः / प्रतिसंवत्सरादि स्यादेकोद्दिष्टविधानतः
kīrtayannāmagotre tu bhuvi prītostviti kṣipet / mitrabandhujanaiḥ sārdhaṃ śeṣaṃ bhuñjīta vāgyataḥ / pratisaṃvatsarādi syādekoddiṣṭavidhānataḥ
诵念亡者之名与氏族（gotra），将供物置于地上，并说：“愿其欢喜满足。”随后与亲友同食余供，谨慎收摄言语。此事应每年及类似时日依 ekoddiṣṭa（专为一位亡者之仪轨）而行。
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: prati-saṃvatsara (annual) and similar occasions
Concept: Ritual precision and respectful restraint (vāk-niyama) sustain the efficacy of offerings for the departed.
Vedantic Theme: Kartavya-karma and saṃskāra as purifying duties within pravṛtti, supporting subtle welfare beyond death.
Application: Perform annual ekoddiṣṭa with correct sankalpa (name-gotra), offer with reverence, and maintain disciplined speech and conduct during the rite.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: griha/śrāddha-vedi (domestic ritual space)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: ekoddiṣṭa-śrāddha and annual observances (various śrāddha-vidhi passages); Garuda Purana: pinda-dāna and name-gotra sankalpa instructions in śrāddha sections
FAQs
This verse highlights that ekoddiṣṭa is a focused rite for a single departed person, done by naming the deceased with gotra and offering with the intention “may he be pleased,” and it is repeated annually as prescribed.
In Preta Kanda contexts, such offerings and annual rites are presented as supportive acts for the departed (preta/pitṛ), aiming at satisfaction and welfare of the subtle journey through proper dharmic observance.
When performing memorial rites, keep the intention clear (name and lineage), follow a consistent annual observance, and maintain restraint and reverence (vāg-yama) during the ritual and shared meal.