Shloka 7
Vaitaraṇī: Torments of the Sinful, Sins Enumerated, and the Vaitaraṇī Go-dāna Rite
हा भ्रातः पुत्र तातेति प्रलपन्ति मुहुर्मुहुः / विचरन्ति निमज्जन्ति ग्लानिं गच्छन्ति जन्तवः
hā bhrātaḥ putra tāteti pralapanti muhurmuhuḥ / vicaranti nimajjanti glāniṃ gacchanti jantavaḥ
Sambil menangis berulang-ulang, mereka meratap: “Aduhai, saudara! Anak! Ayah!” Makhluk-makhluk itu terus mengeluh; mereka merayau, tenggelam dalam putus asa, lalu jatuh ke dalam keletihan yang parah.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Worldly attachments (to brother/son/father) cannot rescue the jiva; suffering is intensified by clinging and confusion after death.
Vedantic Theme: Vairagya and anitya-bhavana; relations are upadhi-bound and transient; the self must seek higher refuge.
Application: Cultivate detachment and spiritual preparedness; remember dharma and devotion rather than panic at separation.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: descriptions of the preta’s confusion and lament; Garuda Purana: teachings on impermanence and the need for rites/devotion
FAQs
It portrays the preta’s attachment and confusion after death—clinging to family-identities and relationships—highlighting why rites like śrāddha and pinda-dāna are prescribed to steady and guide the departed.
The verse emphasizes an unsettled intermediate condition: the being wanders, becomes overwhelmed, and sinks into dejection—suggesting a transitional journey where the mind remains bound to earthly bonds until supported by proper guidance and merit.
Cultivate detachment and remembrance of dharma while living, and when someone dies, support the family with calmness and (where appropriate) traditional remembrance/charity, focusing on actions that reduce attachment and increase sattva.