Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 1
Yama-mārga (Adhvan) and the Courts of Yama: Vaivasvatī and Chitragupta
जन्तूत्पत्तितद्गधात्वादिविभागभुवनादिविभागवर्णनं नाम द्वात्रिंशो ऽध्यायः गरुड उवाच / उत्पत्तिलक्षणं जन्तोः कथितं मयि पुत्त्रके / यमलोकः कियन्मात्रस्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे / विस्तरं तस्य मे ब्रूहि अध्वा चैव कियान् स्मृतः
jantūtpattitadgadhātvādivibhāgabhuvanādivibhāgavarṇanaṃ nāma dvātriṃśo 'dhyāyaḥ garuḍa uvāca / utpattilakṣaṇaṃ jantoḥ kathitaṃ mayi puttrake / yamalokaḥ kiyanmātrastrailokye sacarācare / vistaraṃ tasya me brūhi adhvā caiva kiyān smṛtaḥ
迦楼罗说道：“孩子啊，你已向我讲明众生起源之相。如今请告诉我：在含摄动与不动的三界之中，阎摩之界（阎摩罗迦，Yamaloka）究竟有多广大？请为我详说其境域；并且所谓‘阿德梵’（adhvan，道途）被记为多长？”
Garuḍa (Vinātā-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Inquiry into the extent of Yama’s realm and the length/nature of the post-mortem path within the three worlds.
Vedantic Theme: Cosmography as pedagogical device: knowledge of saṃsāra’s structure and post-death process to generate vairāgya and dharma-buddhi.
Application: Use contemplation of death-journey and cosmic order to prioritize ethical living, remembrance of the divine, and preparation for a good death.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: realm/region
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: chapters describing the soul’s journey, messengers of Yama, measurements of the path, and descriptions of Yamaloka (immediate contextual continuation)
FAQs
This verse frames the inquiry that leads to a detailed mapping of Yama’s realm and the post-death route, helping practitioners understand the Purana’s afterlife cosmology and the consequences tied to karma.
It introduces the technical idea of the ‘adhvan’—the measured journey taken after death—by asking its length and relation to the three worlds, setting up an explanation of the soul’s travel toward Yama’s domain.
Reflect on accountability: actions (karma) have structured outcomes; living ethically and performing appropriate śrāddha/ancestral duties is encouraged in the Garuda Purana’s worldview.