Shloka 60
Post-cremation Ripening of Karma and the Principal Narakas
गुरुं चैवावमन्यन्ते वाक्शरैस्ताडयन्ति च / अगम्यागामी च नरो नरकं शबलं व्रजेत्
guruṃ caivāvamanyante vākśaraistāḍayanti ca / agamyāgāmī ca naro narakaṃ śabalaṃ vrajet
Sesiapa yang menghina gurunya (guru) dan melukainya dengan anak panah kata-kata; serta orang yang mendatangi hubungan yang terlarang—akan menuju neraka yang menggerunkan bernama Śabala.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Naraka
Concept: Verbal violence toward one’s guru and sexual transgression with forbidden partners lead to severe karmic downfall.
Vedantic Theme: Guru is a locus of dharma and knowledge; disrespect fractures the channel of śreyas; uncontrolled desire and harsh speech deepen bondage.
Application: Practice respectful speech, especially toward teachers/elders; cultivate restraint (brahmacarya/indriya-nigraha); seek atonement and behavioral correction when boundaries are crossed.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: naraka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: naraka Śabala and its causes (immediate context in 2.3)
FAQs
It condemns guru-apacāra—disrespecting the teacher and injuring him through cruel, cutting words—stating that such conduct leads to the hell named Śabala.
It presents a direct karmic linkage: specific misconduct (verbal assault on one’s guru and forbidden sexual approach) becomes the cause for experiencing a particular naraka (Śabala) after death.
Practice restraint in speech—especially toward elders/teachers—and uphold clear sexual boundaries and dharmic relationships, treating both speech and conduct as morally consequential.