Shloka 135
Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi
Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu
विष्ठादेवी पीड्यमानं च भक्तं विहाय सा कुत्र पलायिताभूत् / विवाहकाले रजकस्य गेहं गत्वा सम्यक् प्रार्थयित्वा च मूढः
viṣṭhādevī pīḍyamānaṃ ca bhaktaṃ vihāya sā kutra palāyitābhūt / vivāhakāle rajakasya gehaṃ gatvā samyak prārthayitvā ca mūḍhaḥ
વિષ્ઠાદેવી ભક્તને પીડાવતી હતી ત્યારે તેને છોડીને તે ક્યાં ભાગી ગઈ? લગ્નકાળે એ મૂઢ રજકના ઘેર ગયો અને સમ્યક પ્રાર્થના કરીને જે મેળવ્યું, તે મેળવીને પણ મૂઢતા જ કરતો રહ્યો।
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Preta Kanda dialogue frame)
Concept: Misplaced devotion to degrading/tamasic cults (Viṣṭhādevī) fails in crisis; one should discriminate (viveka) in worship and align with purity and dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Tamas and avidyā lead to degradation; discernment in upāsanā and conduct is necessary for uplift.
Application: Choose uplifting objects of devotion and practices that cultivate sattva; avoid superstition and harmful/impure rites pursued for quick gains.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Type: low-status household/impure setting (socially coded)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: polemical passages against tamasic/impure devatā-cults and improper rites (contextual); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: torments and abandonment motifs (general)
FAQs
This verse highlights that beings (even a 'bhakta') may face torment when karma ripens, underscoring the Purana’s emphasis that actions and intentions shape post-death experiences.
By referencing torment and abandonment in a narrative style, it points to the Preta Kanda theme that the departed can encounter fearsome agencies of suffering as consequences of prior deeds before relief through dharma and proper rites.
Avoid deceit and delusion in social-religious occasions, live ethically, and support dharmic conduct and appropriate ancestral/death rites so one’s journey is not burdened by remorse and karmic distress.