Shloka 80
Santaptaka’s Encounter with Five Pretas and Their Liberation through Viṣṇu’s Presence
भद्रस्य राज्ञो देवानां पूजने ऽधिकृतो ह्यहम् / बह्व्यस्तु प्रतिमास्तत्र बभूवुर्बहुनामिकाः
bhadrasya rājño devānāṃ pūjane 'dhikṛto hyaham / bahvyastu pratimāstatra babhūvurbahunāmikāḥ
Hamba sesungguhnya dilantik untuk mengendalikan pemujaan para dewa bagi Raja Bhadra. Di sana, terdapat banyak patung—banyak bilangannya dan dikenali dengan pelbagai nama.
Narrator/unnamed speaker within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue (a priestly/appointed worshipper speaking in-context)
Concept: Entrusted ritual office (adhikāra) demands purity of intention; proximity to wealth and sacred objects tests dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as prerequisite for worship; external pūjā without inner restraint is unstable.
Application: When holding custodial roles (temple, charity, public funds), institute safeguards and cultivate contentment (santoṣa).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: royal temple/court shrine complex
Related Themes: Garuda Purana, Preta-kalpa: accounts of misappropriation of sacred property leading to suffering (contextual parallel)
FAQs
This verse highlights that Deva-worship is a regulated dharmic duty performed by an authorized person, indicating ritual order and responsibility in religious life.
Indirectly, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that proper dharma—such as sanctioned worship and right ritual conduct—forms the ethical foundation that influences one’s post-death journey.
Perform worship and religious duties with sincerity and proper procedure (or under qualified guidance), respecting the tradition and avoiding careless or self-appointed ritual claims.