Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 26

Yama-mārga (Adhvan) and the Courts of Yama: Vaivasvatī and Chitragupta

Devanagari script

दीपिकाशतसङ्कीर्णं गीतध्वनिसमाकुलम् / विचित्रचित्रकुशलैश्चित्रगुप्तस्य वै गृहम्

Transliteration

dīpikāśatasaṅkīrṇaṃ gītadhvanisamākulam / vicitracitrakuśalaiścitraguptasya vai gṛham

Translation

チトラグプタの御殿は百の灯明に満ち、歌の響きに満ちあふれ、巧みな絵師が描いた奇妙なる図像によって飾られている。

Word by Word

• दीपिकाशतसङ्कीर्णम्: strewn with hundreds of lamps
• दीपिकाशतसङ्कीर्णम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीपिका (प्रातिपदिक) + शत (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + सङ्कीर्ण (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √कीर्/कॄ 'to scatter' with सम्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त); समासः—दीपिकानां शतेन/शतैः सङ्कीर्णम् (करण-तत्पुरुष)

• गीतध्वनिसमाकुलम्: filled with the sound of singing
• गीतध्वनिसमाकुलम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गीत (प्रातिपदिक) + ध्वनि (प्रातिपदिक) + समाकुल (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—गीतस्य ध्वनिः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष) + तेन समाकुलम् (तत्पुरुष); विशेषणम्

• विचित्रचित्रकुशलैः: by skilled artists in wondrous paintings
• विचित्रचित्रकुशलैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विचित्र (प्रातिपदिक) + चित्र (प्रातिपदिक) + कुशल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; समासः—विचित्रं चित्रं येषां ते (कर्मधारय/बहुव्रीह्यर्थ-समासप्रायः); अत्र 'चित्रकुशल' = painters/artists; करणत्वेन

• चित्रगुप्तस्य: of Chitragupta
• चित्रगुप्तस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रगुप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphasis)

• गृहम्: the house
• गृहम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेष्यं

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Illumination and depiction: karma is ‘brought to light’ and made evident; nothing remains concealed in the moral ledger.

Vedantic Theme: Avidyā vs prakāśa (light of knowledge); the witnessing principle (sākṣitva) mirrored by the lit, image-filled hall.

Application: Practice transparency and truthfulness; cultivate inner ‘lamp’ through self-inquiry and ethical consistency.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: hall/administrative palace interior

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: Chitragupta’s documentation of deeds; descriptions of halls, scribes, and evidentiary presentation

Characters & Entities

• Chitragupta

FAQs

What is the importance of Chitragupta in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Chitragupta’s prominent abode, implying his central role as the divine record-keeper whose documentation of deeds supports the post-death judgement process.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By describing Chitragupta’s house within the afterlife administration, the verse situates the soul’s journey within an ordered system where actions are reviewed before consequences are assigned.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live with accountability—treat actions as traceable and consequential; cultivate ethical conduct and truthful living, aligning daily choices with dharma.