Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

ब्रहामचर्यसमायुक्तो युक्तस्तपसि मार्दवे / परलोकभयोपेतः सत्यशौचैश्च निर्मलः

Transliteration

brahāmacaryasamāyukto yuktastapasi mārdave / paralokabhayopetaḥ satyaśaucaiśca nirmalaḥ

Translation

Seseorang yang berteguh dalam brahmacarya, berdisiplin dalam tapa dan kelembutan, memiliki rasa takut yang baik terhadap alam akhirat, serta disucikan oleh kebenaran dan kesucian—dia tetap tidak ternoda.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मचर्यसमायुक्तः: fully devoted to celibacy/discipline
• ब्रह्मचर्यसमायुक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्-आ-युक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘समायुक्त’ भूतकृदन्त; समासः तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मचर्येण समायुक्तः)

• युक्तः: engaged/steadfast
• युक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त

• तपसि: in austerity
• तपसि: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• मार्दवे: in gentleness/humility
• मार्दवे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्दव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• परलोकभयोपेतः: possessed of fear of the next world
• परलोकभयोपेतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परलोक (प्रातिपदिक) + भय (प्रातिपदिक) + उपेत (कृदन्त; √इ धातु, उप-उपसर्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘उपेत’ भूतकृदन्त = युक्त/सम्पन्न; समासः तत्पुरुषः (परलोकस्य भयेन उपेतः)

• सत्यशौचैः: by truth and purity
• सत्यशौचैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (सत्यं च शौचं च)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• निर्मलः: pure/spotless
• निर्मलः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Brahmacarya, tapas tempered by gentleness, and purification through truth and cleanliness—supported by awareness of afterlife accountability—produce moral stainlessness.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-shuddhi as prerequisite for jnana; fear of samsaric consequence as an initial spur that matures into inner purity.

Application: Practice sexual restraint appropriate to one’s ashrama, adopt moderate austerities (fasting, simplicity) without harshness, keep speech truthful, maintain bodily and mental cleanliness, and reflect daily on long-term consequences of actions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.22.23 (svadhyaya/homa/daya); Garuda Purana 2.22.25-26 (guru-vakya, atithi, atma-yoga, moksha)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Paraloka

FAQs

What is the importance of brahmacarya in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents brahmacarya (restraint and disciplined conduct) as a core purifier that supports inner steadiness and reduces karmic impurity, aiding a cleaner passage toward the afterlife.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By stressing fear of paraloka (moral awareness of post-death consequences) along with truth and cleanliness, the verse implies that ethical purity shapes the soul’s post-mortem experience and safeguards it from distress born of wrongdoing.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice self-restraint, speak truthfully, maintain cleanliness (outer and inner), and cultivate humility—treating afterlife accountability as motivation for consistent dharmic living.