Shloka 31

Svapnādhāya (Dream-Chapter): Causes, Forms, Nourishment, and Liberation of Pretas

Devanagari script

अवलम्ब्य ततो धैर्यं भयमुत्सृज्य दूरतः / पप्रच्छ मधुराभाषी के यूयं विकृताननाः

Transliteration

avalambya tato dhairyaṃ bhayamutsṛjya dūrataḥ / papraccha madhurābhāṣī ke yūyaṃ vikṛtānanāḥ

Translation

അപ്പോൾ അവൻ ധൈര്യം ആശ്രയിച്ച് ഭയം ദൂരെയാക്കി, മധുരവചനത്തോടെ ചോദിച്ചു—“വികൃതമുഖങ്ങളുള്ള നിങ്ങൾ ആരാണ്?”

Word by Word

• अवलम्ब्य: having taken hold of
• अवलम्ब्य: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + लम्ब् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• धैर्यम्: courage
• धैर्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धैर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• भयम्: fear
• भयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• उत्सृज्य: having cast away
• उत्सृज्य: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उत् + सृज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• दूरतः: from afar / far away
• दूरतः: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दूरतः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• पप्रच्छ: asked
• पप्रच्छ: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + प्रच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• मधुराभाषी: sweet-speaking
• मधुराभाषी: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुर (प्रातिपदिक) + भाषिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः = 'मधुरा भाषा यस्य'

• के: who
• के: Sambodhana/Prashna (Interrogative subject/प्रश्न)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; interrogative pronoun

• यूयम्: you (pl.)
• यूयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; 2nd person pronoun

• विकृताननाः: with distorted faces
• विकृताननाः: Karta (Addressee qualifier/सम्बोधन-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विकृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; कृ धातु, क्त with वि-) + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः = 'विकृतम् आननं येषाम्'

Speaker

The departing soul (preta/jīva) speaking to fearsome beings encountered on the post-death path, as narrated by Lord Vishnu to Garuda

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dhairya (fortitude) and madhura-vāk (gentle speech) are dharmic responses even toward frightening beings; inquiry replaces reactive fear.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva’s rise over rajas/tamas; mastery of fear through buddhi and self-command.

Application: When confronted by the disturbing or unknown, steady yourself, speak respectfully, and ask clarifying questions before judging.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: liminal path in wilderness

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana narrative method: dialogue with pretas to reveal karmic causes and remedies (general internal link)

Characters & Entities

• Preta
• Fearsome beings (yama-dūtas/terrifying apparitions)

FAQs

What is the importance of fearlessness in the Garuda Purana’s description of the after-death journey?

This verse shows the preta regaining composure and abandoning fear, implying that steadiness of mind is crucial when confronting frightening apparitions or Yama’s attendants on the post-death path.

How does this verse explain the soul’s experience after death?

It depicts the soul meeting terrifying-faced beings and responding not with panic but with inquiry, reflecting the Garuda Purana theme that the preta encounters formidable forces shaped by karma and the governance of Yama’s realm.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate dhairya (courage) and calm speech under pressure—meeting fear with clarity and ethical steadiness rather than confusion or harshness.