Shloka 20

Yama-mārga (Adhvan) and the Courts of Yama: Vaivasvatī and Chitragupta

Devanagari script

घण्टाशतनिनादाढ्यं तोरणानां शतैर्वृतम् / एवमादिभिरन्यैश्च भूषणैर्भूषितं सदा

Transliteration

ghaṇṭāśataninādāḍhyaṃ toraṇānāṃ śatairvṛtam / evamādibhiranyaiśca bhūṣaṇairbhūṣitaṃ sadā

Translation

Resounding with the clangor of hundreds of bells and encircled by hundreds of ornamental gateways, it is ever adorned with these and many other such decorations.

Word by Word

• घण्टाशतनिनादाढ्यम्: rich with the clang of a hundred bells
• घण्टाशतनिनादाढ्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घण्टा + शत + निनाद + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः (घण्टाशतस्य निनादेन आढ्यम् = rich with the sound of a hundred bells)

• तोरणानाम्: of archways/toranas
• तोरणानाम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: toraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन

• शतैः: by hundreds
• शतैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन

• वृतम्: surrounded
• वृतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √वृ (धातु) → वृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

• एवम्: thus, in this way
• एवम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• आदिभिः: with (things) beginning with these
• आदिभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; 'आदि' = etc., beginning with

• अन्यैः: other
• अन्यैः: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-निपात

• भूषणैः: with ornaments
• भूषणैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन

• भूषितम्: adorned
• भूषितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √भूष् (धातु) → भूषित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (Temporal adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Crossing thresholds into consequence: karmic law is encountered as one enters the domain of judgment.

Vedantic Theme: Saṁsāra as a governed passage of states; the jīva meets the results of action in ordered stages.

Application: Practice mindful action and confession/rectification (prāyaścitta) before consequences ‘sound’ at the gates.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: gateways/toranas of a royal court

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: staged journey motifs—paths, gates, messengers, and entry into Yama’s sabhā

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of describing bells and gateways in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses vivid architectural imagery—bells and toranas—to convey the awe, order, and grandeur of the otherworldly domain being described, framing the after-death journey in a concrete, memorable way.

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

Indirectly: by portraying the structured, ornamented realm associated with post-death administration, it situates the soul’s journey within a governed cosmic system rather than a random or chaotic fate.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat death-ritual discussions with seriousness and clarity: the text emphasizes that the afterlife is depicted as ordered and consequential, encouraging disciplined, dharmic living and mindful observance of rites.