Shloka 22

Explanation of the Sapiṇḍana Rite; Causes of Pretahood; Viṣṇu Worship and Preta-ghaṭa Dāna

Devanagari script

तथा पृष्टः स वै राज्ञा प्रोवाच सकलं स्वकम्

Transliteration

tathā pṛṣṭaḥ sa vai rājñā provāca sakalaṃ svakam

Translation

రాజు ఇలా ప్రశ్నించగా, అతడు తన స్వవృత్తాంతమంతటిని సంపూర్ణంగా, యథార్థంగా చెప్పెను।

Word by Word

• तथा: thus, so
• तथा: Kriya-visheshaṇa (Adverbial modifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण) = indeclinable adverb ‘thus/so’

• पृष्टः: asked
• पृष्टः: Karta-anvayi Visheshana (Predicate adjective to subject/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पृच्छ् (धातु) → पृष्ट (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, past passive participle); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘asked’

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha-bodhaka (Emphasis/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात/particle) = emphatic particle

• राज्ञा: by the king
• राज्ञा: Karana/Agent-in-passive (Instrumental; by the king/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• प्रोवाच: said, spoke forth
• प्रोवाच: Kriya (Main verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सकलम्: the whole (thing)
• सकलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सकल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• स्वकम्: his own
• स्वकम्: Karma-visheshana (Object qualifier/कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘own’ (qualifying सकलम्)

Speaker

Narrator (contextual voice within the Purana; a dialogue scene involving a king and a questioned person)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Satya-vacana (truthful speech) and complete confession as a prerequisite for right judgment and compassion.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva as clarity; truth as a purifier enabling discernment (viveka).

Application: When seeking help or giving counsel, state the matter fully and truthfully; listen without interruption before deciding.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: dialogues where a preta narrates causes of its condition (preta-kāraṇa) to a listener; Garuda Purana: emphasis on śravaṇa-kīrtana as preparatory to remedial rites

Characters & Entities

• Rājā (King)

FAQs

What is the importance of truthful testimony in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that when properly questioned by authority, one should disclose the complete truth—supporting the Purana’s broader ethic of accountability tied to karma and dharma.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana themes about the soul and after-death journey?

Although this line is a brief narrative transition, it reinforces the method of instruction in the text: inquiry and full disclosure, which parallels how deeds are examined in dharmic and post-death settings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate honesty and completeness in reporting one’s actions—especially in moral, legal, or ritual contexts—since dharma depends on transparent truthfulness.