Shloka 68

Devanagari script

क्रूराः केकरनेत्राश्च हरिताक्षाः सकल्मषाः / जिह्यैश्च लोचनैः शूराः सेनान्यो गजलोचनाः

Transliteration

krūrāḥ kekaranetrāśca haritākṣāḥ sakalmaṣāḥ / jihyaiśca locanaiḥ śūrāḥ senānyo gajalocanāḥ

Translation

Os cruéis e ferozes têm olhos vesgos, olhos verdes e manchados de impureza. Os capitães heroicos possuem língua e olhar temíveis; e os líderes têm olhos como os do elefante.

Word by Word

• क्रूराः: cruel
• क्रूराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• केकरनेत्राः: having squinting/oblique eyes
• केकरनेत्राः: Karta (Subject-complement/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केकर (प्रातिपदिक) + नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (केकराणि नेत्राणि येषाम्)

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

• हरिताक्षाः: green-eyed
• हरिताक्षाः: Karta (Subject-complement/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हरित (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षि/अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (हरितानि अक्षीणि येषाम्)

• सकल्मषाः: tainted, impure
• सकल्मषाः: Karta (Subject-complement/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (सह) + कल्मष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभावः (सह कल्मषेण = with impurity)

• जिह्यैः: with distorted/askew
• जिह्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जिह्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

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

• लोचनैः: with eyes
• लोचनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• शूराः: heroes, valiant men
• शूराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• सेनान्यः: commanders, generals
• सेनान्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सेनानी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• गजलोचनाः: elephant-eyed (large-eyed)
• गजलोचनाः: Karta (Subject-complement/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक) + लोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (गजस्य लोचनानि येषाम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Certain fierce bodily markers are associated with cruelty and impurity, while other formidable markers align with courage and command in warfare.

Vedantic Theme: Rajas-tamas mixture powering aggression and leadership; dharma requires channeling rajas into disciplined kṣātra duty rather than cruelty.

Application: Differentiate disciplined courage from cruelty; cultivate ethical leadership so power does not become kalmaṣa (stain).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: battlefield/camp (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (continued eye-sign typology; leadership markers)

FAQs

What is the importance of describing such fearsome beings in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes the frightening nature of Yama’s attendants/forces, reinforcing the Purana’s moral aim: karma has consequences, and sinful life leads to dread on the post-death path.

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

It supports the narrative that the departed soul encounters intimidating guardians and officials in Yama’s domain, highlighting the psychological and karmic pressure experienced by the preta during judgment and transit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live with restraint and dharma—reduce harmful actions and cultivate purity—so the mind is less burdened by fear and guilt regarding death and accountability.