Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

The Description of the Index/Summary of the Garuḍa

Purāṇa

Devanagari script

प्रेतपीडांविनिर्द्देशः प्रेतचिह्ननिरूपणम् । प्रेतानां चरिताख्यानं कारणं प्रेततां प्रति ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

pretapīḍāṃvinirddeśaḥ pretacihnanirūpaṇam | pretānāṃ caritākhyānaṃ kāraṇaṃ pretatāṃ prati || 24 ||

Translation

ഇതിൽ പ്രേതനെ ബാധിക്കുന്ന പീഡകളുടെ നിർദ്ദേശവും, പ്രേതലക്ഷണങ്ങളുടെ നിർൂപണവും, പ്രേതങ്ങളുടെ ചരിത-അനുഭവകഥനവും, പ്രേതത്വത്തിലേക്കുള്ള കാരണവും പറയുന്നു.

Word by Word

• प्रेत-पीडाम्-विनिर्देशः: detailed instruction about the torment of pretas
• प्रेत-पीडाम्-विनिर्देशः: Karta (कर्ता) (topic/item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेत (प्रातिपदिक) + पीडा (प्रातिपदिक) + विनिर्देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (प्रेतानां पीडायाः विनिर्देशः)

• प्रेत-चिह्न-निरूपणम्: description of the signs of a preta
• प्रेत-चिह्न-निरूपणम्: Karta (कर्ता) (topic/item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेत (प्रातिपदिक) + चिह्न (प्रातिपदिक) + निरूपण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (प्रेतस्य चिह्नस्य निरूपणम्)

• प्रेतानाम्: of pretas
• प्रेतानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• चरित-आख्यानम्: narration of (their) deeds/story
• चरित-आख्यानम्: Karta (कर्ता) (topic/item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरित (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (चरितस्य आख्यानम्)

• कारणम्: cause
• कारणम्: Karta (कर्ता) / Karma (कर्म) (as item listed)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रेतताम्: the state of being a preta
• प्रेतताम्: Karma (कर्म) (goal/state)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेतता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रति: towards; with regard to
• प्रति: Pratiyogi-sambandha (प्रत्ययोगि-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्गसदृश-प्रयोगः/पूर्वपद-निपात (preposition: towards/with regard to)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

This verse functions as an anukramaṇikā (topic-index) for a section on the preta condition, indicating that the text will explain the suffering, identifying signs, lived condition, and karmic causes behind becoming a preta—thereby emphasizing moral causality (karma) and the necessity of proper dharma and rites.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

While not explicitly naming bhakti here, the verse frames the consequences of post-death states as karma-driven; in the Narada Purana’s broader teaching, devotion and remembrance of the Lord support right living and purificatory practices that help avoid inauspicious states such as pretatva.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to practical ritual knowledge (kalpa-oriented application) concerning post-death conditions—how to recognize signs and understand causes—supporting correct performance of śrāddha and related rites discussed in dharma-śāstra and puranic ritual sections.