Shloka 18

Babhruvāhana Meets a Preta: Vṛṣotsarga, Heirless Death, and the Signs of Preta-Affliction

Devanagari script

न्यग्रोधं वीक्ष्य तस्याशु जटास्वश्वं बबन्ध ह / स तत्रास्तरमास्तीर्य खेटकानुपधाय च

Transliteration

nyagrodhaṃ vīkṣya tasyāśu jaṭāsvaśvaṃ babandha ha / sa tatrāstaramāstīrya kheṭakānupadhāya ca

Translation

ആൽമരം കണ്ടപ്പോൾ അവൻ ഉടൻ അതിന്റെ ജടകളിൽ കുതിരയെ കെട്ടി. പിന്നെ അവിടെ വിരിപ്പ് വിരിച്ച്, ആയുധങ്ങൾ അരികിൽ വെച്ച് അവൻ കിടന്നു।

Word by Word

• न्यग्रोधम्: banyan tree
• न्यग्रोधम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: न्यग्रोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• वीक्ष्य: having seen
• वीक्ष्य: Purvakala (prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √वीक्ष् (धातु) + ल्यप् (gerund)
• Form: ल्यबन्त अव्यय (gerund); पूर्वक्रिया

• तस्य: of it/of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• आशु: quickly
• आशु: Kriya-visheshana (adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आशु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• जटासु: in the matted locks/tufts
• जटासु: Adhikarana (location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जटा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन

• अश्वम्: horse
• अश्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• बबन्ध: he tied/bound
• बबन्ध: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √बन्ध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ह: indeed/then
• ह: Discourse particle
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; narrative)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb of place)

• आस्तरम्: a spread/covering, bedding
• आस्तरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आस्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• आस्तीर्य: having spread
• आस्तीर्य: Purvakala (prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ+√स्तॄ (धातु) + ल्यप् (gerund)
• Form: ल्यबन्त अव्यय (gerund); पूर्वक्रिया

• खेटकान्: shields
• खेटकान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खेटक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• उपधाय: having placed/laid down
• उपधाय: Purvakala (prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उप+√धा (धातु) + ल्यप् (gerund)
• Form: ल्यबन्त अव्यय (gerund); पूर्वक्रिया

• च: and
• च: Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Preta Kanda discourse)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prudent conduct: secure dependents and tools, then rest—discipline in action and repose.

Vedantic Theme: Yukta-vairāgya: appropriate use of means (weapons, shelter) without agitation; steadiness (sthiti).

Application: Before resting, ensure safety and order; keep readiness without anxiety.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: sacred tree/resting spot

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: practical conduct and preparedness in narratives (general)

Characters & Entities

• Nyagrodha (banyan tree)

FAQs

What is the importance of this resting scene in Garuda Purana?

It functions as a narrative marker of travel and pause—illustrating that the journey (often used as an image for the post-death passage) includes stages, halts, and preparedness, reinforcing the text’s broader theme of transition and vigilance.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Preta Kanda?

While the verse itself describes a traveler resting, the Preta Kanda frequently uses journey-like narration to frame the precarious intermediate passage; the details of tethering, bedding, and keeping weapons close echo the idea of vulnerability and the need for protection/support during transitions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat major life transitions with discipline and preparedness—create safe conditions, keep essentials close, and rest strategically rather than acting carelessly, aligning with dharmic prudence.