Shloka 5
Dṛṣṭānta on Siddhi: Pitṛ-Procedure, Non-Delusion, and Vyākaraṇa Classifications
अमी अश्वाः षडस्येति तन्न वाक् षड्दलानि च / तच्चरेत्तल्लु नातीति तज्जलं तच्छ्मशानकम्
amī aśvāḥ ṣaḍasyeti tanna vāk ṣaḍdalāni ca / taccarettallu nātīti tajjalaṃ tacchmaśānakam
“These are horses with six mouths”—such speech is not to be accepted as true. Nor are there truly six petals there. One should move onward, not deluded by such claims; that so‑called “crossing” is no real crossing. That “water” is in fact a cremation-ground—an awful māyā-appearance meant to mislead.
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Viveka (discernment) to reject misleading appearances and false claims; do not be deluded by illusory ‘crossings’.
Vedantic Theme: Māyā/avidyā causing misperception; liberation begins with discrimination between satya and asatya.
Application: Verify claims, avoid superstition and sensational signs; cultivate steady discrimination in crisis/transition moments.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: liminal threshold/ford-like passage near a cremation-ground
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: motifs of deceptive visions and perilous passages on the soul’s route (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
This verse warns that frightening or marvelous sights described as literal may be illusory; the teaching is to remain steady and continue the journey without being misled by appearances.
It presents the after-death path as containing misleading perceptions; the traveler (preta/jiva) must ‘move on’ rather than accept every vision as factual, implying the journey includes tests of fear and attachment.
Cultivate discernment and steadiness: do not panic at fearful appearances, do not chase sensational claims, and keep to dharma and disciplined practice—especially during mourning and post-death rites.