Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 23
Entry into Yama’s Abode; Nature, Causes, and Signs of the Preta-State
नास्तिक्यं वृत्तिलोपश्च महालोभस्तथैव च / स्याद्धन्तकलहो नित्यं सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा
nāstikyaṃ vṛttilopaśca mahālobhastathaiva ca / syāddhantakalaho nityaṃ sā pīḍā pretasambhavā
Từ trạng thái thành preta phát sinh sự dày vò này: lòng bất tín đối với dharma, sự mất mát nề nếp chánh hạnh, tham lam quá độ, và cãi vã không dứt—sự tranh chấp nghiến răng, lặp đi lặp lại.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Preta-sambhava pīḍā is marked by nāstikya, loss of right conduct, intense lobha, and perpetual quarrel—showing how adharma manifests as psychological and social pathology.
Vedantic Theme: Tamas/rajas dominance leading to avidyā and ethical collapse; bondage through desire and conflict.
Application: Cultivate śraddhā (trust in dharma), regulate desire, practice truthful and nonviolent speech; create routines that support sāttvika living and community harmony.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.20.19-23 (preta-doṣa symptom list)
FAQs
This verse highlights that the preta-state is not merely a location but a karmic condition marked by inner afflictions—loss of dharmic orientation, greed, and constant conflict.
It implies that unresolved tendencies (nāstikya, lobha, and vṛtti-lopa) can manifest after death as ongoing mental and subtle suffering characteristic of the preta experience.
Cultivate faith in dharma, honest livelihood and discipline, restraint from greed, and non-contentious speech—these reduce the karmic causes associated with preta-like torment.