Shloka 7

Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy

Devanagari script

श्वशृगालादिसंस्पृष्टा अदग्धाः कृमिसंङ्कुलाः / उल्लङ्घिता मृता ये च महारोगैश्च पीडिताः

Transliteration

śvaśṛgālādisaṃspṛṣṭā adagdhāḥ kṛmisaṃṅkulāḥ / ullaṅghitā mṛtā ye ca mahārogaiśca pīḍitāḥ

Translation

Mereka yang mayatnya disentuh oleh anjing, serigala, dan seumpamanya; mereka yang tidak dibakar; mereka yang dipenuhi ulat; mereka yang diabaikan lalu mati; dan mereka yang menderita penyakit yang dahsyat.

Word by Word

• श्वशृगालादिसंस्पृष्टाः: touched/defiled by dogs, jackals, etc.
• श्वशृगालादिसंस्पृष्टाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वन् + शृगाल + आदि + सं-√स्पृश् (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (PPP) संस्पृष्ट, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समास: श्व-शृगाल-आदि (द्वन्द्व/समाहार) + तत्पुरुष (आदिभिः संस्पृष्टाः)

• अदग्धाः: unburnt
• अदग्धाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अदग्ध (कृदन्त; √दह् धातु)
• Form: नञ्-पूर्वक भूतकृदन्त (not-burnt), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• कृमिसङ्कुलाः: filled with worms
• कृमिसङ्कुलाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृमि + सङ्कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (कृमिभिः सङ्कुलाः/कृमिसङ्कुलाः)

• उल्लङ्घिताः: overstepped/violated (taboos), transgressed
• उल्लङ्घिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्-√लङ्घ् (कृदन्त; धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; उपसर्ग: उद्

• मृताः: dead
• मृताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृत (कृदन्त; √मृ धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• महारोगैः: by great diseases
• महारोगैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + रोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/instrumental), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (महान् रोगः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• पीडिताः: afflicted
• पीडिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √पीड् (कृदन्त; धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Adharma/impurity and neglect around death-condition shape the preta-outcome and ritual handling.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala governing embodied and post-embodied states; the body’s end as a dharma-critical threshold.

Application: Maintain proper care of the dying/dead (protection, timely cremation, cleanliness) and avoid negligence that leads to ritually problematic death-conditions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa 2.40 (context: aśauca/udaka/antyeṣṭi exceptions; narayana-bali prescription follows in 2.40.10-11); Garuda Purana sections on preta-lakṣaṇa and aśauca rules (adjacent chapters)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Pretas
• Yama

FAQs

What is the importance of cremation and last rites in Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights “adagdhāḥ” (uncremated) and other impure/neglected death conditions, implying that proper antyeṣṭi and related rites are crucial to prevent the deceased from remaining in a troubled preta-like condition.

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

By listing deaths involving defilement, neglect, and severe illness, the text signals categories of deceased who may face obstruction and distress after death, requiring ritual support (e.g., śrāddha, piṇḍa-dāna) to aid their onward journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Ensure dignified care at the end of life, timely cremation/burial according to dharma and family tradition, and perform remembrance/śrāddha with sincerity—supporting ethical living and responsible funeral observance.