Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 1
Yama-mārga (Adhvan) and the Courts of Yama: Vaivasvatī and Chitragupta
जन्तूत्पत्तितद्गधात्वादिविभागभुवनादिविभागवर्णनं नाम द्वात्रिंशो ऽध्यायः गरुड उवाच / उत्पत्तिलक्षणं जन्तोः कथितं मयि पुत्त्रके / यमलोकः कियन्मात्रस्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे / विस्तरं तस्य मे ब्रूहि अध्वा चैव कियान् स्मृतः
jantūtpattitadgadhātvādivibhāgabhuvanādivibhāgavarṇanaṃ nāma dvātriṃśo 'dhyāyaḥ garuḍa uvāca / utpattilakṣaṇaṃ jantoḥ kathitaṃ mayi puttrake / yamalokaḥ kiyanmātrastrailokye sacarācare / vistaraṃ tasya me brūhi adhvā caiva kiyān smṛtaḥ
Garuḍa said: “O son, you have explained to me the marks of the origin of beings. Now tell me—within the three worlds, moving and unmoving, how vast is Yama’s realm (Yamaloka)? Describe its extent to me in detail; and how long is the ‘adhvan’, the path, said to be?”
Garuḍa (Vinātā-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Inquiry into the extent of Yama’s realm and the length/nature of the post-mortem path within the three worlds.
Vedantic Theme: Cosmography as pedagogical device: knowledge of saṃsāra’s structure and post-death process to generate vairāgya and dharma-buddhi.
Application: Use contemplation of death-journey and cosmic order to prioritize ethical living, remembrance of the divine, and preparation for a good death.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: realm/region
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: chapters describing the soul’s journey, messengers of Yama, measurements of the path, and descriptions of Yamaloka (immediate contextual continuation)
FAQs
This verse frames the inquiry that leads to a detailed mapping of Yama’s realm and the post-death route, helping practitioners understand the Purana’s afterlife cosmology and the consequences tied to karma.
It introduces the technical idea of the ‘adhvan’—the measured journey taken after death—by asking its length and relation to the three worlds, setting up an explanation of the soul’s travel toward Yama’s domain.
Reflect on accountability: actions (karma) have structured outcomes; living ethically and performing appropriate śrāddha/ancestral duties is encouraged in the Garuda Purana’s worldview.