Shloka 65
Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi
Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu
तेषां तथा मत्पितॄणां च पूजा व्यर्था सत्यं सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि / एतत्सर्वं यदि मिथ्या भवेत्तु तदा त्वसौ मां दशतु ह्यहीन्द्रः
teṣāṃ tathā matpitṝṇāṃ ca pūjā vyarthā satyaṃ satyametadbravīmi / etatsarvaṃ yadi mithyā bhavettu tadā tvasau māṃ daśatu hyahīndraḥ
ಅವರ—ಮತ್ತು ನನ್ನ ಪಿತೃಗಳ—ಪೂಜೆಯೂ ವ್ಯರ್ಥವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ; ನಾನು ಸತ್ಯವನ್ನೇ ಸತ್ಯವೆಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಇದು ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಮಿಥ್ಯೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ ಆ ಅಹೀಂದ್ರನು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಕಚ್ಚಲಿ।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra, affirming the truth of the teaching)
Concept: Worship directed to demonic/false deities is declared fruitless; the speaker doubles down on satya with an ordeal-like challenge.
Vedantic Theme: Bhagavan as the ultimate recipient and ground of all worship; misdirected devotion lacks lasting phala.
Application: Center worship and life-orientation on the Supreme; examine whether practices produce sattva, humility, and ethical clarity rather than fear or factionalism.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.28.64 (kudeva warning); Garuda Purana 3.28.62-63 (truth-oath with serpent)
FAQs
This verse stresses that honoring the departed and the pitṛs is meaningful and not wasted; the speaker asserts this as truth with a strong oath-like declaration.
By stating that if the teaching were false then even ancestral worship would be pointless, the verse reinforces that the Purāṇic account of post-death benefit from rites is reliable and meant to be trusted.
Perform śrāddha/ancestor-remembrance with sincerity and ethical living, treating ritual duty as purposeful rather than symbolic or “empty,” and avoiding cynicism toward dharmic observances.