Shloka 139

Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga

Path to Yama

Devanagari script

व्रजन्नेवं विलपते कुठारैर्मूर्ध्नि ताडितः / क्व भृत्यकोमलकरैर्गन्धतैलावसेचनम्

Transliteration

vrajannevaṃ vilapate kuṭhārairmūrdhni tāḍitaḥ / kva bhṛtyakomalakarairgandhatailāvasecanam

Translation

As he is driven onward, wailing thus, struck on the head with axes, he laments: “Where now is the soothing anointing and sprinkling of fragrant oils by the tender hands of servants?”

Word by Word

• व्रजन्: going
• व्रजन्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √व्रज् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकालिक-कर्तरि शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन (going)

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (Manner/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (thus/in this manner)

• विलपते: laments
• विलपते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि√लप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present); प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (laments)

• कुठारैः: with axes
• कुठारैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुठार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (Instrumental); बहुवचन

• मूर्ध्नि: on the head
• मूर्ध्नि: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (Locative); एकवचन

• ताडितः: being struck
• ताडितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ताड् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन (struck/beaten)

• क्व: where
• क्व: Sambandha (Context/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्व (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रश्नार्थक (where?)

• भृत्यकोमलकरैः: by servants’ soft hands
• भृत्यकोमलकरैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृत्य-कोमल-कर (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (Instrumental); बहुवचन; समास-विग्रहः: भृत्यानां कोमलाः कराः (by servants’ soft hands)

• गन्धतैलावसेचनम्: anointing with scented oil
• गन्धतैलावसेचनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध-तैल-अवसेचन (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया; एकवचन; समास-विग्रहः: गन्धयुक्तस्य तैलस्य अवसेचनम् (anointing/pouring of scented oil)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vainateya)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Attachment to bodily pleasures and status collapses after death; the jīva experiences harsh karmic retribution and helplessness.

Vedantic Theme: Dehābhimāna (body-identification) as a source of bondage; suffering as a catalyst for dispassion.

Application: Reduce indulgence and pride; cultivate compassion and self-discipline; engage in bhakti and ethical conduct to avoid painful destinies.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: laments over lost attendants, perfumes, oils, and comforts recur as rhetorical contrasts in the journey narrative.; Garuda Purana: descriptions of Yamadūtas beating/striking the preta during transit (adjacent verses).

Characters & Entities

• Pretas
• Yama

FAQs

What is the importance of detachment from luxury in the Garuda Purana?

This verse contrasts former pampering (perfumed oiling by servants) with the harsh reality of the after-death journey, teaching that worldly comforts cannot protect one from karmic consequences.

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

It depicts the preta being forcibly driven onward, suffering blows and lamenting lost pleasures—an image used in the Preta Kanda to describe the frightening, punitive stages under Yama’s order.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live ethically and prepare spiritually rather than relying on status or comfort; cultivate self-control, charity, and remembrance of dharma, since luxury is temporary and cannot accompany one after death.