Shloka 4

Svapnādhāya (Dream-Chapter): Causes, Forms, Nourishment, and Liberation of Pretas

Devanagari script

वापीकूपतडागांश्च आरामं सुरमन्दिरम् / प्रपां सद्म सुवृक्षांश्च तथा भोजनशालिकाः

Transliteration

vāpīkūpataḍāgāṃśca ārāmaṃ suramandiram / prapāṃ sadma suvṛkṣāṃśca tathā bhojanaśālikāḥ

Translation

Brunnen, Stufenbrunnen und Teiche; Lusthaine und Tempel der Götter; Wasser-Raststätten (prapā), Wohnstätten, gute schattenspendende Bäume und ebenso Speisehallen, in denen Nahrung gereicht wird—dies alles gilt als verdienstvolles Werk.

Word by Word

• वापी: a step-well
• वापी: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वापी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (समाहार-गणनार्थ समुच्चय)

• कूप: a well
• कूप: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (समुच्चय)

• तडागान्: ponds
• तडागान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तडाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• आरामम्: a garden/park
• आरामम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आराम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• सुरमन्दिरम्: a temple of the gods
• सुरमन्दिरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर + मन्दिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रपाम्: a water-shed/resting place (drinking station)
• प्रपाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रपा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• सद्म: a house/dwelling
• सद्म: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सद्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• सुवृक्षान्: good trees
• सुवृक्षान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु + वृक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha/Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• भोजनशालिकाः: dining-halls
• भोजनशालिकाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन + शालिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (सूच्य-समुच्चय)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna and lokopakāra (public benefaction) through building water sources, groves, temples, shelters, and feeding-halls accrues puṇya.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: selfless service purifies the mind (citta-śuddhi) and supports higher pursuit.

Application: Support community water access, tree-planting, shelters, temples/places of contemplation, and food distribution; institutionalize charity as ongoing seva.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: sacred-civic infrastructure

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: dāna-mahātmyas and puṇya-kṣetra discussions (various adhyāyas); Garuda Purana: śrāddha-related charity and feeding (annadāna) themes (general internal resonance)

Characters & Entities

• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of public welfare acts in Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that providing water sources, shade, shelter, temples, and food facilities are counted as strong meritorious deeds (puṇya), supporting dharma and benefiting many beings.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals?

In the Preta-kāṇḍa context, such meritorious acts are taught as dharmic supports that families may perform (or dedicate) to increase auspicious merit connected with post-death rites and remembrance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Support clean drinking-water projects, plant and protect trees, contribute to temples/community spaces, and organize food service—acts of sustained charity that align with dharma.