Shloka 16
Svapnādhāya (Dream-Chapter): Causes, Forms, Nourishment, and Liberation of Pretas
न्यासापहर्ता मित्रध्रुक् परदाररतस्तथा / विश्वासघाती क्रूरस्तु स प्रेतो जायते ध्रुवम्
nyāsāpahartā mitradhruk paradāraratastathā / viśvāsaghātī krūrastu sa preto jāyate dhruvam
Wer anvertrautes Gut stiehlt, einen Freund verrät, nach der Frau eines anderen giert und treulos das Vertrauen bricht—ein solcher Grausamer wird gewiss als Preta geboren.
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Preta Kanda dialogue)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Breach of deposit (nyāsa-apahāra), betrayal of friend, adultery, and treachery generate preta-birth—showing that social trust is a dharmic pillar with afterlife consequences.
Vedantic Theme: Tamas-driven actions (cruelty, deceit) obscure discernment (viveka) and bind the jīva to painful states; purification requires truthfulness and restraint.
Application: Honor fiduciary duties; practice sexual restraint; cultivate loyalty and transparency; repair breaches through restitution and sincere reform.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: pāpa lists including parastrī-gamana and viśvāsa-ghāta; Pretakalpa consequences
FAQs
This verse shows that severe breaches of trust—stealing deposits, betraying friends, adultery, and treachery—are karmic causes for becoming a preta, a troubled post-death condition marked by unrest and suffering.
It links specific unethical actions to a specific post-mortem outcome: the jiva does not attain a peaceful transition but becomes a preta, indicating an obstructed and painful after-death journey due to heavy adharma.
Guard trust as a sacred duty: never misuse entrusted money/property, remain loyal in friendship, avoid adultery, and act transparently—ethical integrity is presented here as protection from grave karmic fallout.