Shloka 91
Śrāddha as Trans-realm Nourishment; Pitṛ-Conveyance; Piṇḍa-born Body and the ātivāhika; Bhakti-based Release
भूयो दुः खस्य संसर्गो नरस्य न भवेद्यथा / ब्रूहि शुश्रूषमाणस्य पृच्छतो मे रमापते
bhūyo duḥ khasya saṃsargo narasya na bhavedyathā / brūhi śuśrūṣamāṇasya pṛcchato me ramāpate
ఓ రమాపతీ (విష్ణూ), మనిషికి మళ్లీ దుఃఖసంబంధం కలగకుండా ఉండే ఉపాయాన్ని చెప్పుము. నేను శ్రద్ధతో వినదలచి అడుగుచున్నాను।
Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu
Concept: Freedom from repeated contact with suffering (duḥkha-saṃsarga) is possible through the Lord’s teaching; emphasizes śravaṇa (attentive listening) as a gateway to transformation.
Vedantic Theme: Duḥkha-nivṛtti through right knowledge and devotion; śravaṇa as a limb of jñāna/bhakti leading toward liberation.
Application: Cultivate attentive listening to dharma and mokṣa teachings; maintain a learner’s posture (śuśrūṣā) and ask precise questions about ending recurring suffering.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana teachings that prioritize śravaṇa-kīrtana-smaraṇa of Viṣṇu for purification (general thematic link)
FAQs
This verse frames Garuda’s central inquiry: the practical and spiritual means by which a human being can avoid recurring contact with duḥkha—especially the post-death and karmic consequences described in the Preta Kanda.
While not detailing the journey itself, the verse establishes the aim of the teaching: guidance from Viṣṇu that prevents the soul’s repeated entanglement with suffering, implying release from karmic outcomes that lead to painful after-death states.
Approach sacred teachings with sincere inquiry and disciplined listening, and seek guidance focused on reducing the causes of suffering—ethical living (dharma), restraint, and devotion—so one does not repeatedly fall into painful consequences.