Shloka 70

Garuḍa’s Return to Vaikuṇṭha and the Comprehensive Inquiry into Death-Rites and the Preta’s Journey

Devanagari script

सर्वमन्तेमया पृष्टं ब्रूहि लोकहिताय वै

Transliteration

sarvamantemayā pṛṣṭaṃ brūhi lokahitāya vai

Translation

At the end I have asked everything; now speak indeed for the welfare of the world.

Word by Word

• सर्वम्: everything
• सर्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; सर्वनाम-शब्द

• अन्ते: at the end
• अन्ते: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावार्थे ‘अन्ते’ = अन्तकाले

• मया: by me
• मया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: त्रिलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम

• पृष्टम्: asked
• पृष्टम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रच्छ् (धातु) → पृष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘asked’ (passive participle)

• ब्रूहि: tell (you speak)
• ब्रूहि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• लोकहिताय: for the welfare of the world
• लोकहिताय: Sampradana (Beneficiary/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक + हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष समास (लोकस्य हितम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग ‘हित’, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (निपात)
• Form: निपात/अव्यय; अवधारणार्थ/खल्वर्थे

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Knowledge should be spoken for loka-hita; the listener’s complete inquiry authorizes comprehensive teaching.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikari-bheda and upadesha-krama: right questioning as a gateway to right instruction.

Application: Approach teachers with complete, sincere questions; seek teachings that benefit society, not merely oneself.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.2.1 (sādhu pṛṣṭam… mānuṣāṇāṃ hitāya); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa opening frames (dialogue-based transmission)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of lokahita (world-welfare) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the teaching as lokahita—knowledge about dharma and post-death matters is requested not for curiosity, but to benefit all beings through right understanding and practice.

How does this verse set up the narrative of the soul’s journey after death?

By signaling that the questioning has reached its concluding point, Garuda urges Vishnu to deliver the final, practical instruction—typically the kind of guidance that informs rites, conduct, and preparation for the afterlife themes of the Preta Kanda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek spiritual knowledge with an ethical motive: use what you learn to support righteous living, compassionate guidance to others, and responsible observance of dharma-based practices.