Shloka 86
Santaptaka’s Encounter with Five Pretas and Their Liberation through Viṣṇu’s Presence
राज्ञः प्रविश्य राजानं पशुमारममारयम् / गृहीत्वाथ मणीन् स्वर्णं निशीथे ऽहं गतो ऽन्यतः
rājñaḥ praviśya rājānaṃ paśumāramamārayam / gṛhītvātha maṇīn svarṇaṃ niśīthe 'haṃ gato 'nyataḥ
Ich betrat die Gemächer des Königs und tötete den König, wie man ein Tier schlachtet. Dann nahm ich Juwelen und Gold und ging mitten in der Nacht woanders hin.
A sinful soul (preta) confessing deeds while being instructed in the Preta Kanda dialogue (Vishnu teaching Garuda about sins and their consequences).
Concept: Heinous acts—regicide, violence, and theft—generate severe pāpa leading to intense karmaphala.
Vedantic Theme: Adharma thickens avidyā; tamasic action binds the doer to fear and suffering.
Application: Recognize compounding harm: violence + theft + betrayal multiplies consequences; choose restitution and confession over concealment.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: palace inner chambers
Related Themes: Pretakalpa: descriptions of punishments for हिंसा, चोरी, and betrayal (general motif)
FAQs
This verse frames grave crimes—killing and stealing—as explicit karmic causes that bind the soul to suffering after death, reinforcing moral restraint (dharma) through consequence.
By presenting a first-person admission of wrongdoing, it supports the Garuda Purana’s theme that the departed soul faces Yama’s scrutiny where specific acts (like homicide and robbery) determine post-death experiences and punishments.
Avoid harm and unlawful gain; cultivate lawful livelihood, non-violence, and integrity—since actions done in secrecy still carry karmic results.