Shloka 16
Svapnādhāya (Dream-Chapter): Causes, Forms, Nourishment, and Liberation of Pretas
न्यासापहर्ता मित्रध्रुक् परदाररतस्तथा / विश्वासघाती क्रूरस्तु स प्रेतो जायते ध्रुवम्
nyāsāpahartā mitradhruk paradāraratastathā / viśvāsaghātī krūrastu sa preto jāyate dhruvam
One who steals what has been entrusted, betrays a friend, is addicted to another man’s wife, and treacherously violates trust—such a cruel person is certainly born as a preta after death.
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Preta Kanda dialogue)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Breach of deposit (nyāsa-apahāra), betrayal of friend, adultery, and treachery generate preta-birth—showing that social trust is a dharmic pillar with afterlife consequences.
Vedantic Theme: Tamas-driven actions (cruelty, deceit) obscure discernment (viveka) and bind the jīva to painful states; purification requires truthfulness and restraint.
Application: Honor fiduciary duties; practice sexual restraint; cultivate loyalty and transparency; repair breaches through restitution and sincere reform.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: pāpa lists including parastrī-gamana and viśvāsa-ghāta; Pretakalpa consequences
FAQs
This verse shows that severe breaches of trust—stealing deposits, betraying friends, adultery, and treachery—are karmic causes for becoming a preta, a troubled post-death condition marked by unrest and suffering.
It links specific unethical actions to a specific post-mortem outcome: the jiva does not attain a peaceful transition but becomes a preta, indicating an obstructed and painful after-death journey due to heavy adharma.
Guard trust as a sacred duty: never misuse entrusted money/property, remain loyal in friendship, avoid adultery, and act transparently—ethical integrity is presented here as protection from grave karmic fallout.