Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 19
Svapnādhāya (Dream-Chapter): Causes, Forms, Nourishment, and Liberation of Pretas
युधिष्ठिर उवाच / केन कर्मविपाकेन प्रेतत्वमुपजायते / केन वा मुच्यते कस्मात्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह / यच्छ्रुत्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्या मि सुव्रत
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca / kena karmavipākena pretatvamupajāyate / kena vā mucyate kasmāttanme brūhi pitāmaha / yacchrutvā na punarmohamevaṃ yāsyā mi suvrata
ユディシュティラは言った。「いかなる業の果報によってプレータ（餓鬼）の状態が生じるのですか。さらに、いかなる手段によってそこから解放されるのか—その理由と道を、祖父（ピターマハ）よ、私にお説きください。これを聞けば、堅き誓いの方よ、私は再びこのような迷いに陥りません。」
Yudhishthira
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Karma-vipāka as the causal basis for pretatva; liberation requires knowing the cause and the remedy (upāya).
Vedantic Theme: Avidyā (moha) is dispelled by right inquiry; understanding causality (karma) supports detachment and right practice.
Application: Examine actions and their consequences; seek instruction on remedial rites/devotion; cultivate clarity to avoid repeating harmful patterns.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: questions on preta-state, causes, and release recur across the dialogue sections
FAQs
This verse frames the core inquiry: preta-hood is linked to karmic fruition, and knowing its causes and release is presented as essential for removing delusion about death and the afterlife.
It introduces the doctrinal link between karma-vipāka (ripened deeds) and becoming a preta, and asks for the precise means of release—setting up the Garuda Purana’s later explanations of post-death states and remedial rites.
Live with dharma and awareness of karmic consequences, and approach death-related rites and ethical duties seriously—because the text treats after-death conditions as effects of one’s actions and omissions.