Purāṇa-s are considered as the Sacred Scriptures laying down guidelines for religious and pious living, mostly in the form of stories or verses. The exact dates of these purāṇa-s remain unknown. Garuḍa Purāṇa is said to be approximately 700 years old. It is also said that the original purāṇa-s have undergone changes over a period of time. Generally, only eighteen purāṇa-s are often discussed and Garuḍa Purāṇa is one among them. Major portion of this great Scripture is in the form of conversation between Garuḍa, the vāhana (vehicle) of Lord Viṣṇu and sage Kaśyapa.
Garuḍa Purāṇa has three kāṇḍa-s (sections). They are ācāra kāṇḍa, which generally deals with rituals, dharmaśāstra, etc; dharma kāṇḍa or preta (corpse) kāṇḍa, which deals with death and allied subjects; brahma kāṇḍa which deals with the supremacy of Lord Viṣṇu, with criticism on māyā and avidya.
In this new series, titled Garuda Purana, second section viz. Preta Kāṇḍa dealing with death and associated rituals will be discussed briefly.
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May 03, 2021 11:28 AM
Is there a section in Garuda Puran which details the manner in which shraad is perfomed
May 20, 2022 07:19 PM
Thanks for sharing Garuda Puranam
July 04, 2023 10:07 PM
Hi Ravi ji, I just want to add that what you have posted here is a compact ( i will explain below why) and comprehensible version of the actual direct translation. I have a 2 part volume of Garuda Mahapuranam which is a poor translation by Mr. M.N Dutt, where he left some parts with question marks and just didn't finish his sentences. Grammar and spelling mistakes everywhere. The first volume I just skipped entire chapters because they were all incomprehensible. Anyway only in the second volume it touches on death where it gets interesting. I can't read Hindi so I have no second language to check on what's written there. Anyway back to the point. Your version is much better and easy on the reader. About compact, you skipped entire chapters where the Garuda Purana: 1. repeats lineage of who is the son/beget who and what of who to the point of frustration 2. Chapters dedicated to atonement for people who kill brahmins, rob them and take their wives. Its horrible but yes, by sacrificing a horse you are hereby freed of your murderous sins. One can only imagine why brahmins were the prime target at the time the book was written. 3. In the last part (moksha Purana I think) there are chapters dedicated to sati. All of the husbands sins (including braminicide) and sins of 3 families are washed away just by the wife jumping into the pyre of her husband. Nymphs and celestial beings welcome them both in the afterlife. As a woman this did not sit very well with me. 4. It seems clear cut that by performing vṛṣotsarjanam; by a son or female descendent if there is no male, or even when the person is alive (no descendents) every single sin is cleared, and the 3 gods will welcome you to Indraloka. I haven't finished it yet, but death has always fascinated me and despite poor translation, I'm going to finish the book. Moving on, I am not able to find a proper mantra or a set of prayers to recite before the body is taken out of the house to the funeral house/before cremation. I suppose you are the right person to inquire on this. Would you have happened to have it written down in one of your articles?
July 05, 2023 08:07 AM
Certain relevant aspects of the Garuḍa Purāṇa relating to death, have been discussed in this series. You must note that there are several redacted versions of every Purāṇa and not all portions make sense or are relevant. Many insertions in these scriptures have crept in due to socio-political reasons and have nothing to do with spirituality. The content of this website is purely for spiritual elevation. Further, for death related rituals, you may contact a priest in your area who deals with these matters. We have not published these mantras and the associated rituals anywhere on this website nor do we have any plans to do so in the near future. Ravi ji has now completely retired and may not reply to your message. i have taken the liberty to reply on his behalf.
July 07, 2023 11:07 AM
Hi Krisna Thanks for posting my comment. I didn't think it would be published. But anyways there are several books available in amazon where funeral prayers and rites are mentioned in detail. I just want to add a few more things. 1. Garuda Purana was written way before bhagavad gita, so the socio order at that time must have differed greatly than kali yuga.
Edit: I have removed the rest of the comment due to its socio-political content as we do not wish to trigger a debate on these topics. This information can be posted on Quora or other discussion sites to target a bigger audience and ascertain the facts.
- Krishna.
July 05, 2024 06:07 PM
After the 13 day subh sweekaram of mother how soon can one attend a wedding of a friend be attended by the son whose mother passed away
July 07, 2024 08:07 AM
You may check with the priest who conducted the last rites and enquire on the mourning period. In general, after the 12th/13th day, normal activities can resume and one can visit temples etc. In some traditions, weddings and other auspicious events are not celebrated at home or within the family at least for 1 year from the date of passing.