Garuda Purana Path: 10 Sacred Days for Guiding the Departed Soul

What is the Garuda Purana Path?

The Garuda Purana Path is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas in Hindu texts. It is essentially a dialogue between Lord Vishnu and his mount, Garuda (the King of Birds). Garuda asks the Lord about the mysteries of life, death, the afterlife, and the journey of the soul.

Lord Vishnu’s detailed answers form the text of this Purana. It covers:

1. The nature of the soul.

2. What happens immediately after death.

3. The journey through different realms (Lokas).

4. The importance of charity (Daan) and rituals (Shradh).

5. The path to Moksha (Liberation).

When we perform the Garuda Purana Path, we are essentially reciting these divine instructions to the spirit of the deceased. It is believed that the soul sits and listens to the narration, gaining the wisdom needed to detach from worldly bonds and move forward without fear.

Why is it Necessary?

In the modern hustle of cities like Gurugram and Delhi, families sometimes question the necessity of such elaborate rituals. However, the Garuda Purana Path serves a dual purpose: one for the departed and one for the living.

For the Departed Soul

• Clarifies Confusion: The soul, suddenly severed from the body, is often disoriented. The Path explains the reality of its new state.

• Reduces Suffering: The text describes the hurdles of the afterlife (like the Vaitarani River). Listening to the Path helps the soul navigate these with ease.

• Encourages Detachment: It helps the soul break the emotional cords of attachment (Moha) to the family, which is essential for it to ascend.

For the Grieving Family

• Closure: It provides a structured way to mourn. Listening to the philosophy of life and death helps the family accept the loss.

• Removal of Fear: Death is often feared. The Garuda Purana Path demystifies it, framing it as a natural cosmic process.

• Karmic Duty: It is the highest duty (Dharma) of the children to ensure their parent’s soul is at peace. Fulfilling this brings immense psychological relief.

The Spiritual Journey: The 13 Days

The Garuda Purana Path is intrinsically linked to the 13-day mourning period. Here is how the timeline works according to Vedic beliefs:

• Day 1-10: The soul is in a subtle form (Preta). The daily offerings of Pind (rice balls) and water help build a subtle body for the soul to undertake its journey. The recitation usually happens during these days.

• Day 11 (Ekodrishta Shradh): Offers are made to the individual soul.

• Day 12 (Sapindikarana): The soul is united with the ancestors (Pitrus).

• Day 13 (Terahvin): The mourning ends, and the soul officially departs for the Pitru Loka.

Our Pandits ensure that the reading of the Garuda Purana Path is synchronized with these daily rites to maximize the spiritual benefit.

Detailed Vidhi: How We Conduct the Path

Conducting the Garuda Purana Path requires a Pandit who is not only knowledgeable but also emotionally intelligent. The atmosphere is heavy, and the tone of the recitation must be soothing yet authoritative.

Step 1: Sankalp and Deep Prajwalan The session begins with the lighting of a lamp (Deepak) in front of the photo of the deceased. The Pandit takes a Sankalp (vow) in the name of the main mourner (Karta), stating that this recitation is for the peace of the specific soul.

Step 2: Vishnu Smaran Since Lord Vishnu is the preserver and the ultimate destination, we invoke Him with the Vishnu Sahasranama or specific Stotras. This purifies the environment and invites divine protection.

Step 3: The Recitation (Adhyayas) The Garuda Purana Path consists of many chapters. Our Pandit selects the most relevant chapters concerning the “Preta Khanda” (Section on the Afterlife).

• The description of the soul leaving the body.

• The ten-day journey.

• The importance of sons/daughters performing rites.

• The efficacy of Daan (Charity).

The Pandit reads the Sanskrit shlokas and then translates the meaning into Hindi (or English, if preferred) so the family can understand.

Step 4: Shanti Path and Bhajan Each daily session concludes with a Shanti Path, praying for peace in the house and the universe. We often include soft Bhajans tailored for mourning to help the family release their emotions.

Step 5: Daan (Charity) On the final day of the Path, we guide the family on the “Shayya Daan” (Bedding Gift) and other charities mentioned in the text, which are believed to provide comfort to the soul in the afterlife.

Services in Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram

Finding a priest for death rituals can be stressful. We simplify this for you. We cover the entire National Capital Region.

• Delhi: Whether you are in East Delhi or South Delhi, our Pandits can visit your home daily for the 10-day ritual.

• Ghaziabad: We serve areas like Vaishali, Indirapuram, and Crossings Republik. We can also assist with rituals at the Hindon Ghat if needed.

• Gurugram: For families in high-rise apartments, we adapt the setup to fit your space constraints while maintaining the sanctity of the Garuda Purana Path.

Our Packages

We understand that every family has different time constraints and traditions. We offer two main formats:

1. The Das-Gatra (10-Day) Path

• Authentic Format: This is the most recommended method.

• Procedure: The Pandit visits your home every evening for 1.5 to 2 hours from the 4th day to the 13th day.

• Benefit: Allows the family to absorb the wisdom slowly and creates a daily routine of prayer during the mourning period.

• Inclusions: Daily Path, Shanti mantra, and guidance on daily Pind Daan.

2. The Sankshipta (One-Day) Path

• Concise Format: Ideal for families with severe time constraints or those living abroad who have come for a short duration.

• Procedure: A longer session (4-5 hours) conducted on a single day (usually the 4th, 10th, or 11th day).

• Benefit: Completes the ritual requirement effectively within a single sitting.

• Inclusions: Summary of all chapters, essential Havans, and Daan Vidhi.

The Concept of Vaitarani

One of the most vivid descriptions in the Garuda Purana Path is the river Vaitarani. It is described as a terrifying river filled with blood and refuse that lies between the earth and the afterlife.

The text explains that souls who have done good karma and whose descendants perform the Garuda Purana Path and Godaan (Cow Donation) are able to cross this river easily, holding onto the tail of a cow. For those who have no one to pray for them, the crossing is painful.

While this may sound metaphorical, the psychological impact is real. Performing these rituals gives the family the satisfaction that they have helped their loved one cross the most difficult hurdle of their journey.

Rules for the Family

To ensure the Garuda Purana Path yields the best results, the family is advised to follow certain disciplines during these days:

• Satvik Diet: Consume only simple, vegetarian food without onion and garlic.

• Sleep on Floor: The chief mourner (Karta) usually sleeps on the floor or a simple mat.

• Celibacy: Observe Brahmacharya.

• Avoid Celebration: No attending parties or wearing bright clothes.

Why Choose Our Pandits?

Death rituals are sensitive. A Pandit who is too transactional or harsh can worsen the family’s grief. Here is why families in Delhi NCR trust us:

1. Compassionate Approach Our Pandits are trained to be gentle. They understand they are not just priests but counselors. They explain the Garuda Purana Path in a way that brings hope, not fear.

2. Knowledge of Afterlife They are scholars of the Garuda Purana Saroddhara. They can answer your difficult questions about “Where is he now?” or “Will she be reborn?” with scriptural backing.

3. Complete Management From arranging the Samagri (sesame seeds, kush grass, white flowers) to guiding you on the Brahmin Bhoj, we handle the logistics so you can focus on your family.

4. Punctuality We respect the time of the grieving family. Our Pandits arrive exactly at the scheduled time.

Addressing Modern Skepticism

In today’s scientific age, younger generations might ask, “Is this real?” Even if viewed purely through a psychological lens, the Garuda Purana Path is a masterpiece of grief management.

• It forces the family to sit together and process the loss daily.

• It shifts the focus from “loss” to “journey.”

• It provides a structured “to-do” list (rituals) which helps prevent the mind from spiraling into depression.

As stated in various texts on Hindu Eschatology, these rituals are designed to align the microcosm of the human body with the macrocosm of the universe.

Astrological Connection

Sometimes, death occurs during “Panchak” (a cluster of five constellations) or an inauspicious Muhurat. This can cause trouble for the soul and the family. During the Garuda Purana Path, our astrologers also check the mrityu chart (death chart) of the deceased.

If there are any doshas (like Tripad Nakshatra Dosh), we include specific Shanti Mantras within the Path to neutralize them. This ensures the soul is not hindered by planetary alignments at the time of death.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can we do the Garuda Purana Path after the 13th day? Ideally, it should be completed by the 13th day. However, if you missed it, it can be done on the monthly death date (Masik) or the first death anniversary (Barsi).

Q2: Is it scary to listen to? Some parts describe the punishment for sins (Narak), which can be intense. However, our Pandits focus on the Sadgati (salvation) aspects and the remedies. The goal is to inspire righteousness, not to instill terror.

Q3: Can daughters perform this ritual? Yes. In modern Vedic practice and according to higher spiritual laws, daughters have every right to arrange and sit for the Garuda Purana Path for their parents.

Q4: What is the cost in Delhi NCR? The Dakshina varies depending on whether you choose the 10-day or 1-day format and the experience level of the Pandit. Please contact us for a respectful and transparent quote.

Q5: Do we need to feed the Pandit daily? For the 10-day path, it is customary to offer raw food materials (Sidha) daily and a cooked meal on the final day. However, we can adjust this based on your convenience.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Farewell

The Garuda Purana Path is the greatest gift you can give to someone who has left their physical body. It is the light that guides them home. By performing this, you are not just following a tradition; you are ensuring that the love you have for them transcends the boundaries of life and death.

If you are going through a loss, know that you are not alone. We are here to support you spiritually and ritually.

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Let us handle the rituals while you heal. Contact Us Today to arrange for the Garuda Purana Path in Delhi, Ghaziabad, or Gurugram. We are available 24/7 to assist you during this difficult time.