Shloka 14

Entry into Yama’s Abode; Nature, Causes, and Signs of the Preta-State

Devanagari script

एनं छिन्धि मनोमोहं मम चेदिच्छसि प्रियम् / कलिकाले हृषीकेश प्रेतत्वं जायते बहु

Transliteration

enaṃ chindhi manomohaṃ mama cedicchasi priyam / kalikāle hṛṣīkeśa pretatvaṃ jāyate bahu

Translation

O Hṛṣīkeśa, if you wish to do what is dear to me, cut through the delusion of my mind; for in the age of Kali, the state of becoming a preta arises in many ways for many beings.

Word by Word

• एनम्: him/this one
• एनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (कर्म), एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम-रूपम् (enam)

• छिन्धि: cut (destroy)
• छिन्धि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: छिद् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकारः (आज्ञार्थक/Imperative), मध्यम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• मनःमोहम्: delusion of the mind
• मनःमोहम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक) + मोह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मनसः मोहः)

• मम: of me / my
• मम: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (सम्बन्ध/Genitive), एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम-रूपम्

• चेत्: if
• चेत्: Sambandha (Logical connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: चेत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; शर्तार्थक-निपातः (conditional particle: 'if')

• इच्छसि: you desire
• इच्छसि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष्/इच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (वर्तमान/Present), मध्यम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• प्रियम्: what is dear / a boon
• प्रियम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कर्मरूपेण (desired thing)

• कलिकाले: in the Kali age
• कलिकाले: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलि (प्रातिपदिक) + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (अधिकरण/Locative), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कलौ कालः)

• हृषीकेश: O Hṛṣīkeśa (Vishnu)
• हृषीकेश: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृषीक (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सम्बोधन-विभक्तिः (Vocative), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (हृषीकाणाम् ईशः)

• प्रेतत्वम्: the state of being a preta
• प्रेतत्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेत (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (तद्धित-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (कर्ता/Subject), एकवचनम्; भाववाचक-तद्धितान्त (state of being a preta)

• जायते: arises / is born
• जायते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (वर्तमान/Present), प्रथम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्

• बहु: much / greatly
• बहु: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; अव्ययवत् क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (adverbial use)

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra) addressing Lord Vishnu (Hṛṣīkeśa)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Moha (mental delusion) must be cut through to prevent spiritual downfall; Kali-yuga multiplies causes for preta-state.

Vedantic Theme: Avidya/moha as bondage; need for viveka and right conduct to avoid lower post-mortem states.

Application: Cultivate discernment, seek scriptural guidance, and correct ritual/ethical lapses early—especially in Kali-yuga—so death does not culminate in restless preta-existence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa discussions on preta-lakshana and causes of preta-bhava (adjacent adhyayas in Pretakalpa); Garuda Purana sections on Kali-yuga dharma decline and improper rites leading to suffering

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Lord Vishnu
• Pretas
• Kali Yuga

FAQs

What is the importance of the 'preta' topic in Garuda Purana?

This verse frames preta-hood as a widespread post-death problem in Kali Yuga and motivates Vishnu’s instruction on remedies—right rites, right conduct, and clarity about the afterlife.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It highlights that many beings risk a disturbed intermediate state (preta) rather than a settled transition, implying the need for guidance (from Vishnu) on proper post-death processes and dharmic living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek clarity over fear-based confusion about death, follow dharma and prescribed family rites responsibly, and support ethical living and remembrance practices that reduce harm and mental delusion.