Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 75
Svapnādhāya (Dream-Chapter): Causes, Forms, Nourishment, and Liberation of Pretas
भीष्म उवाच / एवं ब्रुवति वै विप्रे आकाशे दुन्दुभिस्वनः / अपतत्पुष्पवर्षं च देवर्मुक्तं द्विजोपरि
bhīṣma uvāca / evaṃ bruvati vai vipre ākāśe dundubhisvanaḥ / apatatpuṣpavarṣaṃ ca devarmuktaṃ dvijopari
毗湿摩曰：当那婆罗门如是宣说之时，虚空中响起天鼓之音；诸天所散之花雨，纷纷落在那位二次生者身上。
Bhishma
Concept: Truthful, dharmic instruction by a learned brāhmaṇa is affirmed by devas through auspicious signs.
Vedantic Theme: Sattva and śāstra-vākya resonate with cosmic order; dharma aligns human speech with ṛta.
Application: Honor and support authentic teachers; cultivate speech that is truthful, beneficial, and śāstra-aligned.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial-sky
Related Themes: Garuda Purana narrative frames where devas signal approval via puṣpa-vṛṣṭi; Garuda Purana: merit of śravaṇa-kīrtana and honoring brāhmaṇas (thematic)
FAQs
They function as narrative signs that the gods approve of the dharmic teaching or rite being spoken or performed, marking it as spiritually meritorious.
In the Preta Kanda context, such divine omens validate correct instruction about post-death duties and rites, reinforcing that proper guidance and conduct support the departed and uphold dharma.
Value truthful, dharmic counsel—especially around funerary duties and ethical living—since sincere right speech and right action are portrayed as attracting auspicious outcomes.