Shloka 14
The Preta’s Staged Journey to Yama’s City: Monthly Śrāddha Supports, Vaitaraṇī Crossing, and the Witnesses of Deeds
भीषणैः क्लिश्यमानस्तु रुदते च पुनः पुनः / मासद्वयावसाने तु तत्पुरं सो ऽतिगच्छति
bhīṣaṇaiḥ kliśyamānastu rudate ca punaḥ punaḥ / māsadvayāvasāne tu tatpuraṃ so 'tigacchati
เมื่อถูกความทุกข์อันน่าสะพรึงบีบคั้น เขาย่อมร้องไห้ซ้ำแล้วซ้ำเล่า และเมื่อครบสองเดือน เขาจึงก้าวพ้นนครนั้นไป.
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Suffering and duration in the intermediate journey reflect karmic burden; time-bound stages unfold inexorably until judgment.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-niyati and saṃsāra-duḥkha; the jīva’s helplessness without higher refuge.
Application: Use life to lighten karmic load through dharma, charity, and devotion; support proper rites to ease the departed’s passage.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: city (destination)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: time-milestones (days/months) in preta’s travel and arrival at Yama’s city (2.16 sequence)
FAQs
This verse marks a defined stage in the preta’s passage: after enduring frightening torments and repeated lamentation, the being is said to arrive at Yama’s city at the completion of two months, implying a structured progression in the post-death route.
It portrays the preta’s journey as one of intense distress—“terrifying” afflictions causing continual crying—culminating in reaching Yama’s city, a key waypoint where judgment and further experiences are traditionally described.
It encourages ethical living and timely observance of death rites (e.g., śrāddha/pinda-related duties where applicable) as traditional supports for the departed, while reminding the living to reduce causes of suffering through dharmic conduct.