Shloka 65
Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi
Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu
तेषां तथा मत्पितॄणां च पूजा व्यर्था सत्यं सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि / एतत्सर्वं यदि मिथ्या भवेत्तु तदा त्वसौ मां दशतु ह्यहीन्द्रः
teṣāṃ tathā matpitṝṇāṃ ca pūjā vyarthā satyaṃ satyametadbravīmi / etatsarvaṃ yadi mithyā bhavettu tadā tvasau māṃ daśatu hyahīndraḥ
إن العبادة المقدَّمة لهم—بل وحتى العبادة لأسلافي—ستكون عبثًا. أقول الحقَّ، حقًّا. فإن كان كلّ هذا باطلًا، فليعضّني سيّد الحيّات.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra, affirming the truth of the teaching)
Concept: Worship directed to demonic/false deities is declared fruitless; the speaker doubles down on satya with an ordeal-like challenge.
Vedantic Theme: Bhagavan as the ultimate recipient and ground of all worship; misdirected devotion lacks lasting phala.
Application: Center worship and life-orientation on the Supreme; examine whether practices produce sattva, humility, and ethical clarity rather than fear or factionalism.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.28.64 (kudeva warning); Garuda Purana 3.28.62-63 (truth-oath with serpent)
FAQs
This verse stresses that honoring the departed and the pitṛs is meaningful and not wasted; the speaker asserts this as truth with a strong oath-like declaration.
By stating that if the teaching were false then even ancestral worship would be pointless, the verse reinforces that the Purāṇic account of post-death benefit from rites is reliable and meant to be trusted.
Perform śrāddha/ancestor-remembrance with sincerity and ethical living, treating ritual duty as purposeful rather than symbolic or “empty,” and avoiding cynicism toward dharmic observances.