Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 17

Jīva-yonis (84 Lakhs), Rarity of Human Birth, Sense-Restraint, Craving, and Śraddhā-based Dharma

Devanagari script

तथा च विषयाधीनो दुः खी भवति निश्चितम्

Transliteration

tathā ca viṣayādhīno duḥ khī bhavati niścitam

Translation

Vì thế, kẻ nương tựa vào các đối tượng giác quan ắt phải sầu khổ—điều ấy chắc chắn.

Word by Word

• तथा: thus / similarly
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction)

• विषयाधीनः: dependent on sense-objects
• विषयाधीनः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषय (प्रातिपदिक) + अधीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'विषयस्य अधीनः'), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• दुःखी: unhappy
• दुःखी: Kartṛsāmānādhikaraṇa (Subject-complement/कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुःखिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• भवति: becomes / is
• भवति: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present Indicative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• निश्चितम्: certainly
• निश्चितम्: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: निश्चित (प्रातिपदिक; √निश्चि/निश्चय)
• Form: अव्ययवत् प्रयोग (adverbial accusative/neuter singular used adverbially)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dependence on sense-objects inevitably produces suffering.

Vedantic Theme: Viṣaya-āsakti as duḥkha-hetu; vairāgya and indriya-jaya as prerequisites for peace and liberation-oriented life.

Application: Identify attachment triggers; reduce reliance on external stimulation for mood regulation; cultivate inner sources of well-being through meditation, satsanga, and disciplined living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: inner/psychological condition

Cross References

Related Themes: Direct continuation of 2.12.16 (ātma-adhīnatā vs viṣaya-adhīnatā); Garuda Purana moral teachings on kāma/lobha leading to duḥkha

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of detachment (vairagya) in Garuda Purana?

This verse states that dependence on sense-objects inevitably produces suffering; detachment is presented as a practical safeguard for inner peace and for the soul’s steadiness in the after-death journey.

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

In the Preta Kanda framework, clinging to worldly objects and pleasures is a cause of distress and confusion; the teaching supports cultivating non-attachment so the subtle being is not tormented by cravings and regrets.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Reduce compulsive consumption, practice moderation and self-control, and regularly reflect that pleasure is temporary—this weakens viṣaya-dependence and lowers avoidable suffering.