Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 18

Santaptaka’s Encounter with Five Pretas and Their Liberation through Viṣṇu’s Presence

Devanagari script

रणत्कोटिमहादंष्ट्रानस्थिग्रन्थ्यवघट्टितान् / तान्दृष्ट्वा त्रस्तहृदयो गतिमाकुञ्च्य संस्थितः

Transliteration

raṇatkoṭimahādaṃṣṭrānasthigranthyavaghaṭṭitān / tāndṛṣṭvā trastahṛdayo gatimākuñcya saṃsthitaḥ

Translation

Nang makita niya sila—mga nilalang na nakapanghihilakbot, may malalaking pangil na umuugong, at katawang magaspang na bukol-bukol na tila mga kasukasuan ng buto—nayanig sa takot ang kanyang puso; inurong niya ang kilos at nanatiling nakatigil.

Word by Word

• रणत्-कोटि-महा-दंष्ट्रान्: (those) with huge fangs in crores, clattering
• रणत्-कोटि-महा-दंष्ट्रान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रणत् (कृदन्त; √रण्/√रन् (धातु) शतृ) + कोटि + महा + दंष्ट्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमास (‘रणन्त्यः कोटयः महादंष्ट्राः येषाम्’), कर्म

• अस्थिग्रन्थ्यवघट्टितान्: battered by knots/joints of bones
• अस्थिग्रन्थ्यवघट्टितान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्थि + ग्रन्थि + अवघट्टित (कृदन्त; √घट्ट् (धातु) क्त, उपसर्ग अव-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषसमास (‘अस्थिग्रन्थिभिः अवघट्टिताः’), कर्म

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम, कर्म (प्रेतान् प्रत्यवमर्श)

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Purvakala (Absolutive relation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• त्रस्तहृदयः: with a frightened heart
• त्रस्तहृदयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रस्त + हृदय (प्रातिपदिक; त्रस्त = √त्रस् (धातु) क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (‘त्रस्तं हृदयम् यस्य’), विशेषण (कर्ता)

• गतिम्: movement/pace
• गतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्म

• आकुञ्च्य: drawing in/contracting
• आकुञ्च्य: Purvakala (Absolutive relation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कुञ्च् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त-समकक्ष अव्यय (gerund: ‘आ-’ उपसर्ग), सहकालिक/पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• संस्थितः: stood still/remained
• संस्थितः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: संस्थित (कृदन्त; √स्था (धातु) क्त, उपसर्ग सम्-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle) कर्तरि-प्रयोगे, मुख्यवाक्य-क्रियासमानार्थ

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Naraka

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Direct perception of consequences restrains impulsive motion; fear becomes a catalyst for ethical correction and humility.

Vedantic Theme: Bhaya as a function of duality; turning from fear toward discernment (viveka) and refuge in the divine.

Application: Use ‘consequence-visualization’ to curb harmful impulses; pause before action, reflect on outcomes, and choose dharmic conduct.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: threshold/corridor of torments

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: descriptions of terrifying tormentors and the witness’s fear response (general motif)

Characters & Entities

• Pretas
• Yama's attendants (Yamadutas)

FAQs

What is the importance of Yamadutas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights their terrifying, deterrent presence—symbols of karmic consequence that arrest the soul’s confidence and force confrontation with one’s deeds.

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

It depicts a moment of shock and paralysis on the post-death route: upon seeing fearsome beings, the traveler (preta/jiva) recoils, indicating the vulnerability and dependence of the soul on dharma and proper rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live with restraint and integrity (dharma) so fear of accountability does not dominate the mind; support ethical conduct and, where relevant, perform sincere death-ritual duties for ancestors.