Shloka 41

Babhruvāhana Meets a Preta: Vṛṣotsarga, Heirless Death, and the Signs of Preta-Affliction

Devanagari script

वैदिशं नाम नगरं सर्वसम्पत्सुखावहम् / नानाजनपदाकीर्णं नानारत्नसमाकुलम्

Transliteration

vaidiśaṃ nāma nagaraṃ sarvasampatsukhāvaham / nānājanapadākīrṇaṃ nānāratnasamākulam

Translation

‘وَیدِش’ نام کا ایک شہر ہے جو ہر طرح کی دولت اور آسائش دینے والا ہے؛ مختلف علاقوں کے لوگوں سے بھرا ہوا اور طرح طرح کے جواہرات سے معمور ہے۔

Word by Word

• वैदिशम्: of Vidिशा / named Vaidisha
• वैदिशम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier of ‘नगरम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैदिश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन; ‘विदिशा-सम्बन्धि’

• नाम: by name
• नाम: Sambandha (Naming marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle indicating name)

• नगरम्: city
• नगरम्: Karma (Object/mentioned entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नगर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन

• सर्वसम्पत्सुखावहम्: bringing all prosperity and happiness
• सर्वसम्पत्सुखावहम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier of ‘नगरम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + सम्पत् + सुख + आवह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः सर्वाः सम्पदः च सुखं च आवहति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय-प्राय)

• नाना: various
• नाना: Viśeṣaṇa (Modifier within compound)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाना (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (distributive ‘various’)

• जनपदाकीर्णम्: filled with people from many regions
• जनपदाकीर्णम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier of ‘नगरम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जनपद + आकीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः जनपदैः आकीर्णम् इति तृतीया-तत्पुरुष

• नाना: various
• नाना: Viśeṣaṇa (Modifier within compound)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाना (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (distributive)

• रत्नसमाकुलम्: abounding in jewels
• रत्नसमाकुलम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier of ‘नगरम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत्न + समाकुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः रत्नैः समाकुलम् इति तृतीया-तत्पुरुष

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Worldly prosperity and jewel-filled abundance are contextual, not ultimate; they form the backdrop against which dharma and post-mortem fate are judged.

Vedantic Theme: Anityatā of material opulence; viveka between artha and dharma.

Application: Use prosperity as a support for charity, worship, and ethical living; do not equate wealth with spiritual security.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: city

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana narrative sequences where prosperous life precedes preta-condition (contrast motif)

Characters & Entities

• Vaidiśa

FAQs

What is the importance of Vaidiśa in the Garuda Purana?

In this verse, Vaidiśa is presented as a notable city characterized by prosperity, comfort, and abundance, serving as part of the Purana’s vivid mapping of places encountered in the post-death narrative.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Rather than detailing a ritual or punishment, the verse contributes to the broader journey-framework by describing a specific locale—suggesting that the soul’s passage is depicted through distinct regions and settlements with defined qualities.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that the Garuda Purana frames life and death within an ordered moral cosmos—encouraging disciplined living (dharma) and mindful preparation through appropriate rites and ethical conduct.