Shloka 6

The Narrative of the Five Pretas

Eligibility for rites and jīvac-chrāddha procedure

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मेन्द्ररुद्रनासत्यसूर्याग्निवसुमारुतान् / विश्वेदेवान्पितृ गणान्वयांसि मनुजान्पशून्

Transliteration

brahmendrarudranāsatyasūryāgnivasumārutān / viśvedevānpitṛ gaṇānvayāṃsi manujānpaśūn

Translation

وہ برہما، اندر، رودر، ناسَتیہ (اشوِن کمار)، سورج، اگنی، وَسو اور مَروت؛ نیز وِشویدیو، پِتروں کے گن، پرندوں، انسانوں اور جانوروں—سب کو اپنے اندر سمیٹ لیتا ہے۔

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मेन्द्ररुद्रनासत्यसूर्याग्निवसुमारुतान्: Brahmā, Indra, Rudra, the Nāsatyas, Sūrya, Agni, the Vasus, and the Maruts (as a group)
• ब्रह्मेन्द्ररुद्रनासत्यसूर्याग्निवसुमारुतान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + नासत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + वसु (प्रातिपदिक) + मारुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (समाहार/समुच्चय)

• विश्वेदेवान्: the Viśvedevas
• विश्वेदेवान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वे (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (विश्वे देवाः)

• पितृगणान्: groups of Pitṛs (ancestors)
• पितृगणान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पितॄणां गणाः)

• वयांसि: birds
• वयांसि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), बहुवचन

• मनुजान्: humans
• मनुजान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• पशून्: animals
• पशून्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The ritual-cosmic order is interlinked: gods, pitṛs, humans, animals, and birds participate in a single encompassing field of being and offering.

Vedantic Theme: Virāṭ/viśvarūpa intuition: multiplicity gathered into a single comprehensive reality; supports reverence and non-fragmented vision.

Application: During offerings (tarpaṇa/śrāddha), cultivate a universal, non-sectarian reverence—recognizing offerings as situated within a larger cosmic network.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Likely supports the phala/recipient-field of ekoddiṣṭa described around 2.8.5 and following verses

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Indra
• Rudra
• Nasatyas (Ashvins)
• Surya
• Agni
• Vasus
• Maruts
• Vishvedevas
• Pitrs
• Humans
• Animals
• Birds

FAQs

Why does the Garuda Purana list so many Devas and Pitrs in this verse?

The verse emphasizes an all-encompassing sacred scope—Devas, Pitrs, and all beings—framing after-death teachings and rites as connected to the entire cosmic order.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

By naming Devas and the Pitrs together with living creatures, it situates the preta’s journey within a universe overseen by divine and ancestral agencies, which is the backdrop for Shraddha, pinda-dana, and post-death guidance.

What is a practical takeaway from this verse for daily life or ritual practice?

Maintain reverence toward ancestors and the divine order—support Shraddha-related duties when appropriate and live ethically, recognizing one’s actions affect both worldly life and post-death outcomes.