Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

ते विवर्णमुखाः सर्वे तं द्विजञ्च शवं तथा / एकैकं हस्तपादैश्च गृहीत्वा युद्धमारभन्

Transliteration

te vivarṇamukhāḥ sarve taṃ dvijañca śavaṃ tathā / ekaikaṃ hastapādaiśca gṛhītvā yuddhamārabhan

Translation

وہ سب زرد پڑے چہروں کے ساتھ اُس دِوِج کو اور اُس لاش کو بھی—ہر ایک نے ہاتھ یا پاؤں پکڑ کر—جکڑ لیا اور لڑائی شروع کر دی۔

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• विवर्णमुखाः: pale-faced
• विवर्णमुखाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विवर्ण+मुख (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• द्विजम्: the brahmin
• द्विजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• शवम्: the corpse
• शवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: तुल्य/एवम्-अव्यय (thus/likewise)

• एकैकम्: one each/one by one
• एकैकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक+एक (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (distributive: one by one)

• हस्तपादैः: with hands and feet
• हस्तपादैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त+पाद (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; करण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• गृहीत्वा: having seized
• गृहीत्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive)

• युद्धम्: battle
• युद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• आरभन्: they began
• आरभन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ√रभ् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमा-पुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Preta-aggression reflects unresolved craving/karma; attachment to the corpse and violence arise from post-mortem instability.

Vedantic Theme: Preta-state as a product of vāsanā and avidyā; grasping (grahaṇa) symbolizes clinging to the gross.

Application: Address unresolved attachments and harmful impulses early (through ethical living and rites), reducing ‘haunting’ patterns in life and mind.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.7.37 (tearing attack); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa themes on preta-lakṣaṇa and causes (general)

Characters & Entities

• Dvija (Brahmana)
• Shava (corpse)

FAQs

What is the importance of the corpse (śava) context in Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights how the dead body can become a point of contention and disturbance, underscoring why proper antyeṣṭi (funeral rites) and śrāddha are emphasized to prevent unrest in the post-death transition.

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

It depicts chaotic, fearful circumstances surrounding the deceased—suggesting that the post-death phase (preta-state) can involve conflict and instability, reinforcing the Purana’s broader teaching that ritual order and dharma support a smoother journey toward Yama’s realm.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform death rites respectfully and on time, avoid disputes around funerary matters, and support ethical living (dharma) so that one’s end-of-life transition is approached with clarity rather than turmoil.