Shloka 33
इत्युक्तः स महाघोरं कृत्वा रोषं सुदुः सहम् / जग्राह प्रेतरूपं तत्प्रेतानामपि दुः खदम्
ityuktaḥ sa mahāghoraṃ kṛtvā roṣaṃ suduḥ saham / jagrāha pretarūpaṃ tatpretānāmapi duḥ khadam
So angesprochen, wurde er – höchst schrecklich – von unbändigem Zorn ergriffen und nahm eine Preta-Gestalt an, eine Gestalt, die selbst anderen Pretas Leid bringt.
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Preta-kanda dialogue)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Terrifying forms and sufferings arise as consequences and instruments within the moral cosmos; even pretas experience duḥkha—suffering propagates in tamasic cycles.
Vedantic Theme: Tamas and krodha as binding forces; transformation of form reflects guṇa-dominance and karmic theater (nāṭaka) of saṃsāra.
Application: Avoid rage and harmful cycles; recognize how fear and cruelty multiply suffering; choose sattvic means where possible, reserving force for protection.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: liminal/cremation-ground-adjacent conflict space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: preta-svarūpa, ghoratā, and mutual suffering among preta-beings
FAQs
This verse highlights the preta-form as an intensely fearsome condition that amplifies suffering, underscoring why post-death rites and dharmic living are emphasized to avoid prolonged preta distress.
It depicts the after-death journey as involving experiential states and forms (like the preta-condition) shaped by forces such as anger and karmic momentum, where suffering can intensify in the subtle/liminal phase.
Cultivate self-control (especially over anger) and support dharmic death-rites (e.g., śrāddha, piṇḍa-dāna where applicable) as a traditional way to reduce fear and instability associated with the preta stage.