Shloka 21
Babhruvāhana Meets a Preta: Vṛṣotsarga, Heirless Death, and the Signs of Preta-Affliction
भक्ष्यंपेयं मार्गमाणो न बध्नाति धृतिं क्वचित् / तमपूर्वं नृपो दृष्ट्वाकरोदस्त्रं शरासने
bhakṣyaṃpeyaṃ mārgamāṇo na badhnāti dhṛtiṃ kvacit / tamapūrvaṃ nṛpo dṛṣṭvākarodastraṃ śarāsane
وہ راستے میں کھانے پینے کی تلاش میں بھٹکتا رہا، مگر کہیں بھی ثابت قدمی نہ پا سکا۔ اس انوکھے اور بے مثال وجود کو دیکھ کر راجا نے فوراً کمان پر ہتھیار چڑھا لیا۔
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Insatiable hunger/thirst and instability characterize the preta-condition; the living respond through protective duty and discernment.
Vedantic Theme: trishna (craving) as bondage; the mind without steadiness (dhriti) wanders—mirrored in preta-roaming.
Application: Restrain craving, cultivate dhriti through discipline and devotion; fulfill protective responsibilities without panic.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: roadside encounter space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: preta hunger/thirst and inability to find satisfaction (contextual)
FAQs
This verse uses the search for food and drink to depict restlessness and lack of inner steadiness, a common marker of distress on the post-death path when merit and proper rites are lacking.
It portrays a being wandering and seeking sustenance without finding stability, suggesting the unsettled condition associated with the preta-state and the fearful, unfamiliar experiences encountered on the journey.
Cultivate steadiness (dhṛti) through dharma and self-control, and uphold family duties and appropriate śrāddha-related observances so the departed are not described as wandering in need.