Shloka 5

Preta-Mokṣa Upāya: Svapna-Lakṣaṇa, Pitṛ-Doṣa, and Prescribed Rites

Kṛṣṇa-bali & Nārāyaṇa-bali

Devanagari script

पृच्छार्थं हितमन्विच्छन्दै वज्ञे विनिवदयेत् / स्वप्ने दृष्टः शुभो वृक्षः फलितश्चूतचम्पकः

Transliteration

pṛcchārthaṃ hitamanvicchandai vajñe vinivadayet / svapne dṛṣṭaḥ śubho vṛkṣaḥ phalitaścūtacampakaḥ

Translation

Untuk mencari yang bermanfaat, hendaklah seseorang mengemukakan pertanyaan dengan hormat kepada orang berilmu. Dalam mimpi, melihat pohon yang mujur—mangga atau champaka—yang sarat berbuah dianggap sebagai tanda baik.

Word by Word

• पृच्छार्थम्: for the purpose of asking
• पृच्छार्थम्: Prayojana (Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृच्छा (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: पृच्छायाः अर्थः = 'purpose of asking'; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (adverbial accusative: 'for the purpose')

• हितम्: welfare/benefit
• हितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-निष्पन्न)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'benefit/good' (object of seeking)

• अन्विच्छन्: seeking
• अन्विच्छन्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु + इष् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'seeking'

• दै: (particle; unclear)
• दै: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात; पाठभेद/अस्पष्ट (possibly 'देव'/'दैव' or metrical filler)

• यज्ञे: in a sacrifice/ritual
• यज्ञे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; locative 'in a sacrifice'

• विनिवेदयेत्: should inform/declare
• विनिवेदयेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + नि + विद् (धातु) + णिच्
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; causative sense: 'should inform/announce'

• स्वप्ने: in a dream
• स्वप्ने: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वप्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• दृष्टः: seen
• दृष्टः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृश् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; qualifies 'वृक्षः'

• शुभः: auspicious
• शुभः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; qualifies 'वृक्षः'

• वृक्षः: tree
• वृक्षः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• फलितः: fruitful
• फलितः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फलित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-निष्पन्न)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'fruit-bearing'

• चूतचम्पकः: mango-and-champaka (tree)
• चूतचम्पकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चूत (प्रातिपदिक) + चम्पक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (itaretara): चूत-चम्पकः = 'mango and champaka'; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (collective as a kind/name)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: One should respectfully inquire of the learned for one’s welfare; auspicious dreams can indicate favorable outcomes.

Vedantic Theme: Śāstra and guru/learned counsel as pramāṇa for right action; signs (nimitta) as secondary supports, not ultimate truth.

Application: When facing uncertainty (including preta-related concerns), consult competent teachers/priests; treat omens as prompts for timely dharmic action, not superstition.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: nimitta (omen) and svapna (dream) indications used to diagnose preta-affliction and prescribe rites in adjacent passages.

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of dream omens in Garuda Purana?

This verse treats dreams as meaningful indicators: seeing a fruit-laden auspicious tree (mango/campaka) is presented as a favorable omen, supporting confidence in righteous action and timely rites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: in the Preta Kanda context, auspicious signs (including dreams) are used to assess spiritual well-being and the suitability of actions/rites that support dharma and the departed’s welfare.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek guidance humbly from knowledgeable elders/teachers, and treat uplifting, dharmic dream symbols as encouragement—while grounding decisions in ethical conduct and proper duties.