Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 58
Post-cremation Ripening of Karma and the Principal Narakas
तप्तलोहैश्च विक्रेता तथा बन्धनरक्षिता / माध्वी विक्रयकर्तां च यस्तु भक्तं परित्यजेत्
taptalohaiśca vikretā tathā bandhanarakṣitā / mādhvī vikrayakartāṃ ca yastu bhaktaṃ parityajet
贩卖烧红热铁者、看守并拘禁锁链囚徒者、售卖致醉之酒（mādhvī）者，以及抛弃忠诚依附之虔信者——皆列为罪人，死后当受惩罚。
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Harming others through cruel trade, intoxicant commerce, carceral cruelty, and betrayal of dependents accrues grave demerit.
Vedantic Theme: Karma binds the jiva through himsa, lobha, and betrayal; ethical restraint purifies the mind (citta-shuddhi) for higher pursuit.
Application: Avoid livelihoods that cause suffering; do not profit from addiction or cruelty; protect dependents and honor obligations of care.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: lists of papa-karmas leading to narakas (adjacent verses in 2.3)
FAQs
This verse groups certain livelihoods and actions—cruel commerce, enabling intoxication, and abandoning dependents—as adharma that leads to post-death accountability under Yama’s order.
In the Preta Kanda context, such sins become causes for suffering in Yama’s realm; the departing soul faces consequences shaped by harmful actions and neglect of duty.
Choose work that avoids harm and exploitation, do not profit from addiction or cruelty, and uphold responsibility toward those who rely on you.