Shloka 52
The Preta’s Staged Journey to Yama’s City: Monthly Śrāddha Supports, Vaitaraṇī Crossing, and the Witnesses of Deeds
तेषां पत्न्यस्तथै वोग्रा श्रवण्यः पृथगाह्वयाः / एवं तेषां शक्तिरस्ति यर्त्ये मर्त्याधिकारिणः
teṣāṃ patnyastathai vogrā śravaṇyaḥ pṛthagāhvayāḥ / evaṃ teṣāṃ śaktirasti yartye martyādhikāriṇaḥ
Para isteri mereka juga demikian, garang dan termasyhur, masing-masing diseru dengan nama yang berbeza. Demikianlah kekuatan mereka wujud di alam manusia, atas mereka yang berada di bawah bidang kuasa kematian.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Named, invoked śaktis (consorts/powers) indicate structured, personified forces through which cosmic law engages human life.
Vedantic Theme: Śakti-śaktimat relation: powers are expressions of a higher principle; names and invocation point to nāma-rūpa functioning within vyavahāra.
Application: Approach rituals and invocations with precision (right names, right intent), and maintain humility toward forces beyond ordinary control.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: realm
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.16 (continuation: description of beings, their powers, and their associated śaktis); Garuda Purana 2.17.1–2 (questioning how knowledge of human deeds is obtained in Yama’s realm)
FAQs
This verse indicates that specific beings/energies are traditionally addressed by distinct names, implying defined roles and recognized powers within the after-death framework described in the Preta Kanda.
It emphasizes that formidable forces operate within the mortal sphere and over mortals—supporting the Garuda Purana theme that the departed soul encounters regulated powers and jurisdictions during the post-death journey.
Live with dharmic restraint and perform appropriate śrāddha/antyeṣṭi duties with clarity and sincerity, recognizing that actions have consequences within an ordered moral-cosmic system.