Shloka 12
Entry into Yama’s Abode; Nature, Causes, and Signs of the Preta-State
एवं प्रेताः प्रवर्तन्ते नानादोषैर्विकर्मिणः
evaṃ pretāḥ pravartante nānādoṣairvikarmiṇaḥ
Thus do the pretas—those who have acted contrary to dharma—continue on their course, burdened with many kinds of faults.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Vikarma (anti-dharmic action) results in continued preta-existence with multiple दोष (faults/afflictions).
Vedantic Theme: Samsaric continuity: actions and tendencies propel the jiva through painful intermediate states until purification and karmic exhaustion.
Application: Adopt dharma and restraint; undertake prayashchitta and bhakti to counter vikarma; reflect on consequences to reform conduct.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: repeated refrain that vikarmins become pretas and suffer diverse torments (structural summaries across chapters)
FAQs
This verse states that vikarma leads to many doṣas (faults) that shape the preta’s post-death condition and trajectory, emphasizing ethical conduct as the basis for a peaceful passage after death.
It presents the preta-state as a continuing journey influenced by accumulated doṣas; the departed being ‘proceeds’ under the momentum of past actions rather than moving freely or joyfully.
Avoid actions known to be adharma (vikarma), cultivate dharmic habits, and reduce harmful behaviors—because the text links one’s after-death experience to the moral quality of one’s choices.