Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 31

Dāna for the Preta: Supreme Gifts, Yama’s Pacification, and Viṣṇu-Smaraṇa at the Time of Death

Devanagari script

अग्नित्रयं त्रयो लोकास्त्रयो वेदास्त्रयो ऽमराः / कालत्रयं त्रिसन्ध्यं च त्रयो वर्णास्त्रिशक्तयः

Transliteration

agnitrayaṃ trayo lokāstrayo vedāstrayo 'marāḥ / kālatrayaṃ trisandhyaṃ ca trayo varṇāstriśaktayaḥ

Translation

三つの聖火、三界、三つのヴェーダ、三種の神々、また三つの時と三つのサンディヤー（毎日の礼拝の結節）、三つのヴァルナと三つのシャクティ—これらはすべて三位一体の組として語られる。

Word by Word

• अग्नित्रयम्: the three fires
• अग्नित्रयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि-त्रय (प्रातिपदिक: अग्नि + त्रय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (त्रयोऽग्नयः)

• त्रयः: three
• त्रयः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषण

• लोकाः: worlds
• लोकाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• त्रयः: three
• त्रयः: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• वेदाः: Vedas
• वेदाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• त्रयः: three
• त्रयः: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अमराः: immortals (gods)
• अमराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• कालत्रयम्: the three times
• कालत्रयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल-त्रय (प्रातिपदिक: काल + त्रय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु (त्रयः कालाः)

• त्रिसन्ध्यम्: the three twilight-times
• त्रिसन्ध्यम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि-सन्ध्य (प्रातिपदिक: त्रि + सन्ध्य)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु (तिस्रः सन्ध्याः)

• च: and
• च: Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• त्रयः: three
• त्रयः: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• वर्णाः: social classes (varṇas)
• वर्णाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• त्रिशक्तयः: three powers
• त्रिशक्तयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि-शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक: त्रि + शक्ति)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; द्विगु (तिस्रः शक्तयः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Reality and dharma are structured through recurring triadic principles; recognizing these patterns supports right ritual orientation and contemplative understanding.

Vedantic Theme: Unity expressing as ordered multiplicity; nāma-rūpa patterns within a coherent cosmic law (ṛta/dharma).

Application: Use triads as mnemonic anchors in study and practice: maintain agni/discipline, honor sandhyā, align daily life with sacred time and social responsibility.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic schema

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: cosmological and ritual enumerations (saṅkhyā-style lists); Garuda Purana: sandhyā and varṇa/āśrama duty discussions (thematic)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Lokas
• Vedas
• Amaras

FAQs

What is the importance of sacred triads in the Garuda Purana?

This verse groups key Vedic realities into triads—fires, worlds, Vedas, times, and sandhyās—showing that dharma and ritual life are organized through recurring threefold structures that support order and right practice.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey described in the Garuda Purana?

By emphasizing sandhyā, time, and Vedic order, the verse underlines disciplined dharmic living and correct rites—foundational themes in the Preta Kanda, where proper observances are repeatedly linked with auspicious post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Keep a steady daily rhythm of remembrance and ethical discipline (especially at the three sandhyā times), and align actions with dharma—treating time and worship as structured commitments rather than occasional acts.