Shloka 24

Svapnādhāya (Dream-Chapter): Causes, Forms, Nourishment, and Liberation of Pretas

Devanagari script

ब्रहामचर्यसमायुक्तो युक्तस्तपसि मार्दवे / परलोकभयोपेतः सत्यशौचैश्च निर्मलः

Transliteration

brahāmacaryasamāyukto yuktastapasi mārdave / paralokabhayopetaḥ satyaśaucaiśca nirmalaḥ

Translation

Endowed with brahmacarya, disciplined in tapas and gentleness, possessed of a wholesome fear of the world beyond, and purified by truthfulness and purity—such a one remains stainless.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मचर्यसमायुक्तः: fully devoted to celibacy/discipline
• ब्रह्मचर्यसमायुक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्-आ-युक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘समायुक्त’ भूतकृदन्त; समासः तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मचर्येण समायुक्तः)

• युक्तः: engaged/steadfast
• युक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त

• तपसि: in austerity
• तपसि: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• मार्दवे: in gentleness/humility
• मार्दवे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्दव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• परलोकभयोपेतः: possessed of fear of the next world
• परलोकभयोपेतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परलोक (प्रातिपदिक) + भय (प्रातिपदिक) + उपेत (कृदन्त; √इ धातु, उप-उपसर्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘उपेत’ भूतकृदन्त = युक्त/सम्पन्न; समासः तत्पुरुषः (परलोकस्य भयेन उपेतः)

• सत्यशौचैः: by truth and purity
• सत्यशौचैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (सत्यं च शौचं च)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• निर्मलः: pure/spotless
• निर्मलः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Brahmacarya, tapas tempered by gentleness, and purification through truth and cleanliness—supported by awareness of afterlife accountability—produce moral stainlessness.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-shuddhi as prerequisite for jnana; fear of samsaric consequence as an initial spur that matures into inner purity.

Application: Practice sexual restraint appropriate to one’s ashrama, adopt moderate austerities (fasting, simplicity) without harshness, keep speech truthful, maintain bodily and mental cleanliness, and reflect daily on long-term consequences of actions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.22.23 (svadhyaya/homa/daya); Garuda Purana 2.22.25-26 (guru-vakya, atithi, atma-yoga, moksha)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Paraloka

FAQs

What is the importance of brahmacarya in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents brahmacarya (restraint and disciplined conduct) as a core purifier that supports inner steadiness and reduces karmic impurity, aiding a cleaner passage toward the afterlife.

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

By stressing fear of paraloka (moral awareness of post-death consequences) along with truth and cleanliness, the verse implies that ethical purity shapes the soul’s post-mortem experience and safeguards it from distress born of wrongdoing.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice self-restraint, speak truthfully, maintain cleanliness (outer and inner), and cultivate humility—treating afterlife accountability as motivation for consistent dharmic living.