Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 16

Explanation of the Sapiṇḍana Rite; Causes of Pretahood; Viṣṇu Worship and Preta-ghaṭa Dāna

Devanagari script

उत्कचं मलिनं कुब्जं (रूक्षं) निर्मांसं भीमदर्शनम्

Transliteration

utkacaṃ malinaṃ kubjaṃ (rūkṣaṃ) nirmāṃsaṃ bhīmadarśanam

Translation

它头顶秃裸，污秽不堪，背脊佝偻（干枯粗涩），形销骨立，令人望之生怖。

Word by Word

• उत्कचम्: bald/shaven-headed
• उत्कचम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्कच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (कस्यचित्/तम्)

• मलिनम्: dirty/soiled
• मलिनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मलिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण

• कुब्जम्: hunchbacked
• कुब्जम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुब्ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण

• रूक्षम्: rough/dry
• रूक्षम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रूक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण; पाठान्तर/कोष्ठकस्थ

• निर्मांसम्: fleshless/emaciated
• निर्मांसम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् + मांस (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; नञ्/निर्-तत्पुरुष (मांसं नास्ति यस्य)

• भीम: terrible
• भीम: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासाङ्ग (पूर्वपद)

• दर्शनम्: appearance/sight
• दर्शनम्: Visheshya (Qualified noun/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग (उत्तरपद)

• भीमदर्शनम्: of terrifying appearance
• भीमदर्शनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीम + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (भीमं दर्शनं यस्य)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (describing the preta’s form to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Deformed, terrifying embodiment hints at karmic consequence and the fragility/impurity of the body.

Vedantic Theme: Asubha-bhavana (contemplation of the foul) leading to dispassion (vairagya).

Application: Reflect on bodily impermanence to reduce vanity and harmful actions; cultivate compassion rather than cruelty toward the afflicted.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa (general): descriptions of preta/torments and karmic embodiments (non-specific)

Characters & Entities

• Pretas

FAQs

What is the importance of the preta’s frightening form in Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights the miserable, depleted condition of the preta-body, emphasizing that post-death suffering is tied to karma and neglect of dharma and prescribed rites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It reflects the intermediate preta stage where the being is described with a suffering-laden, emaciated form—an indicator of the hardships faced before attaining further post-death states through karmic results and ritual support.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live ethically (dharma), reduce harmful actions, and responsibly perform family death rites and remembrance practices to support the departed and cultivate awareness of karmic consequences.