Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 41
Explanation of the Sapiṇḍana Rite; Causes of Pretahood; Viṣṇu Worship and Preta-ghaṭa Dāna
राजोवाच / कथं मुक्ता भवन्तीह प्रेतत्वात्त्वं च ते ऽपि च / कथं चापि मया कार्यमौर्ध्वदैहिकमात्मनः / विधिना केन तत्कार्यं सर्वमेतद्वदस्व मे
rājovāca / kathaṃ muktā bhavantīha pretatvāttvaṃ ca te 'pi ca / kathaṃ cāpi mayā kāryamaurdhvadaihikamātmanaḥ / vidhinā kena tatkāryaṃ sarvametadvadasva me
王は言った。「ここにおいて衆生はいかにしてプレータの状態から解き放たれるのか—汝も、また他の者たちも。さらに、我が身のために死後の儀礼（ウールドヴァ・ダイヒカ）をいかに行うべきか。いかなる定められた作法によってそれを成すのか。すべてを我に語れ。」
The King (Rājā)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Seeking the correct vidhi for āurdhvadaihika (post-death) rites and the means of release from pretatva.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as upāya for orderly passage after death; preparation for death with right rites and right knowledge.
Application: Learn and perform prescribed antyeṣṭi and śrāddha procedures under competent guidance; cultivate life practices that reduce preta-risk and support auspicious transition.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: royal court (implied dialogue setting)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa and Śrāddha-kalpa sections: procedures for āurdhvadaihika, piṇḍa-dāna, preta-mokṣa (immediate narrative continuation).
FAQs
This verse frames aurdhvadaihika as a prescribed, rule-governed duty meant to address the preta-condition and guide the departed toward release, prompting an authoritative explanation of the correct ritual method.
It introduces the key problem of pretatva (the preta state) and asks how liberation from it occurs, implying that specific rites and injunction-based procedures play a role in the soul’s post-death transition.
Follow dharmic, tradition-based guidance for funeral and śrāddha observances (as appropriate to one’s lineage and śāstric counsel), and treat death-related duties with clarity, responsibility, and reverence.