Shloka 38

Kāraṇānvēṣaṇam: The 32 Marks of Hari, Defects (Doṣas), Death-Omens, and Hari’s Omnipresence in Social & Household Life

Devanagari script

ललाटे पाण्डुता नित्यं वामस्कन्धे करे खग / क्रूरदृष्टिर्दृष्टिपादस्तथा वै घर्घरस्वरः

Transliteration

lalāṭe pāṇḍutā nityaṃ vāmaskandhe kare khaga / krūradṛṣṭirdṛṣṭipādastathā vai ghargharasvaraḥ

Translation

Wenn ständige Blässe auf der Stirn liegt, ein Vogel sich auf der linken Schulter oder Hand niederlässt, der Blick hart wird, die Augen zu fallen scheinen und die Stimme krächzend wird – das sind wahrlich Zeichen.

Word by Word

• ललाटे: on the forehead
• ललाटे: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ललाट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; स्थानवाचक

• पाण्डुता: paleness
• पाण्डुता: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डुता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भाववाचक-संज्ञा (abstract noun)

• नित्यम्: constantly
• नित्यम्: अधिकरण (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण नपुंसक-एकवचन-प्रथमा/द्वितीया (adverbial accusative)

• वामस्कन्धे: on the left shoulder
• वामस्कन्धे: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम + स्कन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; स्थानवाचक

• करे: on the hand
• करे: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; स्थानवाचक

• खग: O bird (Garuda)
• खग: सम्बोधन
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; संबोधनपदम्

• क्रूरदृष्टिः: having a cruel gaze
• क्रूरदृष्टिः: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रूर + दृष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण—‘क्रूरा दृष्टिः यस्य’

• दृष्टिपादः: with sight in the feet / eyes on the feet
• दृष्टिपादः: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृष्टि + पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘दृष्टिः पादेषु/पादवत्’ इत्यर्थे—असामान्य-लक्षण (eyes in the feet / foot-like sight)

• तथा: thus/likewise
• तथा: सम्बन्ध (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of manner)

• वै: indeed
• वै: सम्बन्ध (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• घर्घरस्वरः: with a gurgling/rasping voice
• घर्घरस्वरः: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घर्घर + स्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Death is signaled and inevitable; one should prepare the mind for right remembrance and spiritual orientation at life’s end.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkāla-smṛti and vairāgya: cultivating steady awareness so the final moment turns toward the Highest rather than fear.

Application: When such signs appear, reduce worldly entanglements, reconcile duties, intensify japa/namasmaraṇa, charity, and seek holy company; prepare for last rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.22 (arishta-lakshana: signs of impending death); Garuda Purana (Antyeṣṭi and preta-related instructions elsewhere; thematic linkage)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of death-omens in the Garuda Purana?

They prompt timely spiritual preparation—repentance, charity, mantra-japa, and arranging rites—so the mind turns toward dharma rather than fear or attachment.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By listing physical and sensory changes as pre-death indicators, it marks the transition phase when prāṇa and awareness begin withdrawing, after which the jīva enters the post-death journey described in the Preta Kanda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat such signs as a reminder to strengthen ethical living, settle duties, seek forgiveness, increase devotion/meditation, and ensure family preparedness for proper funeral and śrāddha observances.