Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 51
Vaitaraṇī: Torments of the Sinful, Sins Enumerated, and the Vaitaraṇī Go-dāna Rite
प्रशशंसुस्तथान्योन्यं सूतं सर्वार्थदर्शिनम् / प्रहर्षमतुलं प्रापुर्मुनयः शौनकादयः
praśaśaṃsustathānyonyaṃ sūtaṃ sarvārthadarśinam / praharṣamatulaṃ prāpurmunayaḥ śaunakādayaḥ
Maka para resi seperti Śaunaka saling memuji, menyanjung Sūta sang penyingkap segala makna, dan mereka meraih sukacita yang tiada banding.
Sūta (narratorial voice describing the sages’ response)
Concept: Satsaṅga and honoring the kathā-vaktā (Sūta) as a conduit of meaning yields inner joy and receptivity to dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Śravaṇa in a sanctified assembly as a preparatory limb for purification (citta-śuddhi) and steady contemplation.
Application: Seek uplifting discourse with learned teachers; cultivate gratitude and mutual respect in spiritual communities to deepen absorption in sacred teaching.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest āśrama/sacrificial grove
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.47 (context: dialogue setting with Sūta and sages)
FAQs
This verse highlights reverence for the qualified narrator (Sūta) who conveys the Purāṇic teaching accurately; honoring such transmission is presented as a source of spiritual uplift and joy.
Indirectly: it frames the setting where teachings on death, preta-state, and rites are received—showing that attentive listening to correct instruction is part of preparing for right conduct and proper rites.
Seek authentic teachers/texts, listen with attention, and cultivate respect for sound spiritual instruction—especially when learning about dharma, samskāras, and death-related rites.