The Earthbound Pretas and the Signs of Their Affliction

Verse 1 (garuda.2.20.1)

गरुड उवाच । ये केचित्प्रेतरूपेण कुत्र वासं लभन्ति ते । प्रेतलोकाद्विनिर्मुक्ताः कथं कुत्र व्रजन्ति ते

garuḍa uvāca | ye kecitpretarūpeṇa kutra vāsaṁ labhanti te | pretalokādvinirmuktāḥ kathaṁ kutra vrajanti te

Garuda said: Those beings who exist in the form of a preta — where do they find their dwelling? And, once released from the world of the pretas, how and where do they go?

Verse 2 (garuda.2.20.2)

चतुर्युक्ताशीति लक्षैर्नरकैः पर्युपासिताः । यमेन रक्षितास्तत्र भूतैश्चैव सहस्रशः

caturyuktāśīti lakṣairnarakaiḥ paryupāsitāḥ | yamena rakṣitāstatra bhūtaiścaiva sahasraśaḥ

Surrounded by the eighty-four hundred thousand hells, guarded there by Yama, and together with thousands of spirits,

Verse 3 (garuda.2.20.3)

विचरन्ति कथं लोके नरकाच्च विनिर्गताः । गरुडोदीरितं श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मीनाथोऽब्रवीदिदम्

vicaranti kathaṁ loke narakācca vinirgatāḥ | garuḍodīritaṁ śrutvā lakṣmīnātho'bravīdidam

how do those who have emerged from hell wander through the world?' Hearing this speech of Garuda, the Lord of Lakshmi spoke thus.

Verse 4 (garuda.2.20.4)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । पक्षिराज शृणुष्व त्वं यत्र प्रेताश्चरन्ति वै । परार्थदारग्रहणाच्छ (ब) लाद्द्रोहान्निशाचराः

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca | pakṣirāja śṛṇuṣva tvaṁ yatra pretāścaranti vai | parārthadāragrahaṇāccha (ba) lāddrohānniśācarāḥ

Shri Krishna said: O king of birds, hear where the pretas wander. Through the seizure of another's wife, through forcible betrayal — becoming night-wanderers,

Verse 5 (garuda.2.20.5)

तथैव सर्वपापिष्ठः स्वात्मजान्वेषणे रताः । विचरन्त्यशरीरास्ते क्षुप्तिपासार्दिता भृशम्

tathaiva sarvapāpiṣṭhaḥ svātmajānveṣaṇe ratāḥ | vicarantyaśarīrāste kṣuptipāsārditā bhṛśam

and, likewise, the very lowest of all sinners, intent on searching for their own children, wander bodiless, sorely tormented by hunger and thirst.

Verse 6 (garuda.2.20.6)

बन्दीगृहवि निर्मुक्ता येभ्यो नश्यन्ति जन्तवः । ते व्यवस्यन्ति च प्रेता वधोपायं च बन्धुषु

bandīgṛhavi nirmuktā yebhyo naśyanti jantavaḥ | te vyavasyanti ca pretā vadhopāyaṁ ca bandhuṣu

Those through whose hands, once released from prison, creatures perish — such pretas too dwell upon devising the destruction of their own kinsmen.

Verse 7 (garuda.2.20.7)

पितृद्वदाराणि रुन्धन्ति तन्मार्गोच्छेदकास्तथा । पितृभा गान्विगृह्णन्ति पान्थेभ्यस्तस्करा इव

pitṛdvadārāṇi rundhanti tanmārgocchedakāstathā | pitṛbhā gānvigṛhṇanti pānthebhyastaskarā iva

Those who obstruct the wives of the ancestors, those who are destroyers of the road, seize the ancestors' portion just as thieves seize from travelers.

Verse 8 (garuda.2.20.8)

स्वं वेश्म पुनरागत्य मित्रस्थाने विशन्ति ते । तत्र स्थिता निरीक्षन्ते रोगशोकादिबन्धनाः

svaṁ veśma punarāgatya mitrasthāne viśanti te | tatra sthitā nirīkṣante rogaśokādibandhanāḥ

Returning to their own house, they enter into the place of a friend; stationed there, they watch over the bonds of disease, grief, and the like,

Verse 9 (garuda.2.20.9)

पीडयन्ति ज्वरीभूय एकान्तरमिषेण तु । तृतीयकज्वरा भूत्वा शीतवातादिपीडया

pīḍayanti jvarībhūya ekāntaramiṣeṇa tu | tṛtīyakajvarā bhūtvā śītavātādipīḍayā

and, becoming fever, torment people under the guise of an alternate-day fever; in the form of a tertian fever too, through the pain of chills and wind,

Verse 10 (garuda.2.20.10)

अन्यांश्च विविधान्रोगाञ्छिरोऽर्तिं च विषूचिकाम् । चिन्त यन्ति सदा तेषामुच्छिष्टादिस्थलस्थिताः

anyāṁśca vividhānrogāñchiro'rtiṁ ca viṣūcikām | cinta yanti sadā teṣāmucchiṣṭādisthalasthitāḥ

and in the form of various other ailments, headache, and cholera — dwelling in places of leftover food and the like, they ever devise harm.

Verse 11 (garuda.2.20.11)

आत्मजानां छलाल्लोका भूतसङ्घैश्च रक्षिताः । पिबन्ति ते च पानीयं भोजनोच्छिष्टयोजितम्

ātmajānāṁ chalāllokā bhūtasaṁghaiśca rakṣitāḥ | pibanti te ca pānīyaṁ bhojanocchiṣṭayojitam

By deceit, dwelling among their own children's people, guarded by hosts of spirits, they drink water mixed with leftover food.

Verse 12 (garuda.2.20.12)

एवं प्रेताः प्रवर्तन्ते नानादोषैर्विकर्मिणः

evaṁ pretāḥ pravartante nānādoṣairvikarmiṇaḥ

Thus, laden with manifold faults, the pretas proceed, engaged in evil deeds.

Verse 13 (garuda.2.20.13)

गरुड उवाच । कथं कुर्वन्ति ते प्रेताः केन रूपेण कस्य किम् । ज्ञायते केन विधिना जल्पन्ति न वदन्ति वा

garuḍa uvāca | kathaṁ kurvanti te pretāḥ kena rūpeṇa kasya kim | jñāyate kena vidhinā jalpanti na vadanti vā

Garuda said: How do those pretas perform these acts, in what form, and to whom do they do what harm? By what means is this known? Do they speak, or do they not speak?

Verse 14 (garuda.2.20.14)

एनं छिन्धि मनोमोहं मम चेदिच्छसि प्रियम् । कलिकाले हृषीकेश प्रेतत्वं जायते बहु

enaṁ chindhi manomohaṁ mama cedicchasi priyam | kalikāle hṛṣīkeśa pretatvaṁ jāyate bahu

Sever this delusion of my mind, if you wish to show kindness to me, your beloved. O Hrishikesha, in the Kali Yuga the state of a preta arises in great abundance.

Verse 15 (garuda.2.20.15)

श्रीविष्णुरुवाच । स्वकुलं पीडयेत्पेतः परच्छिद्रेण पीडयेत् । जीवन्स दृश्यते स्नेही मृतो दुष्टत्वमाप्नुयात्

śrīviṣṇuruvāca | svakulaṁ pīḍayetpetaḥ paracchidreṇa pīḍayet | jīvansa dṛśyate snehī mṛto duṣṭatvamāpnuyāt

Shri Vishnu said: The preta afflicts his own family, and afflicts too through another's weakness. He who, while living, appears affectionate, may, upon death, attain a wicked nature.

Verse 16 (garuda.2.20.16)

रुद्रजापी धर्मरतो देवतातिथिपूजकः । सत्यवाक्प्रियवादी च न प्रेतैः स हि पीड्यते

rudrajāpī dharmarato devatātithipūjakaḥ | satyavākpriyavādī ca na pretaiḥ sa hi pīḍyate

He who recites the name of Rudra, is devoted to dharma, worships the gods and guests, is truthful and gentle of speech — such a man is not afflicted by pretas.

Verse 17 (garuda.2.20.17)

सर्वक्रियापरिभ्रष्टो नास्तिको धर्मनिन्दकः । असत्यवादनिरतो नरः प्रेतैः स पीड्यते । कलौ प्रेतत्वमाप्नोति तार्क्ष्याशुद्धक्रियापरः

sarvakriyāparibhraṣṭo nāstiko dharmanindakaḥ | asatyavādanirato naraḥ pretaiḥ sa pīḍyate | kalau pretatvamāpnoti tārkṣyāśuddhakriyāparaḥ

The man fallen from all proper observances, the unbeliever, the reviler of dharma, one devoted to falsehood — he alone is afflicted by pretas. O Tarkshya, in the Kali Yuga, it is he devoted to impure conduct who attains the state of a preta.

Verse 18 (garuda.2.20.18)

कृतादौ द्वापरान्ते च न प्रेतो नैव पीडनम् । बहूनामेकजातानामेकः सौख्यं समश्नुते

kṛtādau dvāparānte ca na preto naiva pīḍanam | bahūnāmekajātānāmekaḥ saukhyaṁ samaśnute

At the start of the Krita Yuga and the end of the Dvapara, there is neither preta nor affliction. Among many born alike, one alone enjoys happiness.

Verse 19 (garuda.2.20.19)

एको दुष्कृतकर्मा च एकः सन्ततिमाञ्जनः । एकः सम्पीड्यते प्रेतैरेकः सुतधनान्वितः

eko duṣkṛtakarmā ca ekaḥ santatimāñjanaḥ | ekaḥ sampīḍyate pretairekaḥ sutadhanānvitaḥ

One is an evildoer, while another has offspring; one is afflicted by pretas, while another is blessed with sons and wealth.

Verse 20 (garuda.2.20.20)

एकस्य पुत्रनाशः स्यादेको दुहितृमान् भवेत् । विरोधो बन्धुभिः सार्धं प्रेतदोषेण काश्यप

ekasya putranāśaḥ syādeko duhitṛmān bhavet | virodho bandhubhiḥ sārdhaṁ pretadoṣeṇa kāśyapa

One suffers the death of his son, while another has daughters; enmity with kinsmen, O Kashyapa, arises from the fault of a preta.

Verse 21 (garuda.2.20.21)

सन्ततिर्दृश्यते नैव समुत्पन्ना विनश्यति । पशुद्रव्यविनाशश्च सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

santatirdṛśyate naiva samutpannā vinaśyati | paśudravyavināśaśca sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

Offspring do not appear at all, or, being born, perish; the destruction of cattle and property — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 22 (garuda.2.20.22)

प्रकृतेः परिवर्तः स्याद्विद्वेषः सह बन्धुभिः । अकस्माद्व्यसनप्राप्तिः सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

prakṛteḥ parivartaḥ syādvidveṣaḥ saha bandhubhiḥ | akasmādvyasanaprāptiḥ sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

A change in one's own nature, hostility with kinsmen, sudden misfortune befalling one — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 23 (garuda.2.20.23)

नास्तिक्यं वृत्तिलोपश्च महालोभस्तथैव च । स्याद्धन्तकलहो नित्यं सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

nāstikyaṁ vṛttilopaśca mahālobhastathaiva ca | syāddhantakalaho nityaṁ sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

Unbelief, loss of livelihood, and great greed as well, daily quarrel within the household — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 24 (garuda.2.20.24)

पितृमातृनिहन्ता च देवब्राह्मणनिन्दकः । इत्यादोषमवाप्नोति सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

pitṛmātṛnihantā ca devabrāhmaṇanindakaḥ | ityādoṣamavāpnoti sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

The killer of one's parents, the reviler of gods and brahmins — such a fault as one attains — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 25 (garuda.2.20.25)

नित्यकर्मविनिंमुक्तो जपहोमविवर्जितः । परद्रव्याणां च हर्ता सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

nityakarmaviniṁmukto japahomavivarjitaḥ | paradravyāṇāṁ ca hartā sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

Devoid of daily observances, devoid of recitation and oblation, a seizer of others' wealth — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 26 (garuda.2.20.26)

सुवृष्टौ कृषिनाशश्च व्यवहारो विनश्यति । लोके कलहकारी च सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

suvṛṣṭau kṛṣināśaśca vyavahāro vinaśyati | loke kalahakārī ca sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

Despite good rainfall, the crop fails, trade is ruined, one becomes a maker of quarrels in the world — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 27 (garuda.2.20.27)

मार्गे जङ्गम्यमानं तं पीडयेद्वातमण्डली । प्रेतपीडा तु सा ज्ञेया सत्यंसत्यं खगेश्वर

mārge jaṁgamyamānaṁ taṁ pīḍayedvātamaṇḍalī | pretapīḍā tu sā jñeyā satyaṁsatyaṁ khageśvara

As he walks upon the road, a whirlwind torments him — O lord of birds, this, in very truth, should be known as the affliction of a preta.

Verse 28 (garuda.2.20.28)

हीनजात्या च सम्बन्धो हीनकर्म करोति यः । अधर्मे रमते नित्यं सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

hīnajātyā ca sambandho hīnakarma karoti yaḥ | adharme ramate nityaṁ sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

He who has dealings with the lowly, performs base deeds, ever delights in unrighteousness — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 29 (garuda.2.20.29)

व्यसनैर्द्रव्यनाशः स्यादुपक्रान्तं विनश्यति । चौराग्निराजभिर्हानिः सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

vyasanairdravyanāśaḥ syādupakrāntaṁ vinaśyati | caurāgnirājabhirhāniḥ sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

Wealth destroyed by vices, an undertaking ruined once begun, loss through thieves, fire, and the king — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 30 (garuda.2.20.30)

महारोगोपलब्धिश्च बालकानां च पीडनम् । जाया संपीढ्यते यच्च सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

mahārogopalabdhiśca bālakānāṁ ca pīḍanam | jāyā saṁpīḍhyate yacca sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

The onset of grave disease, the affliction of children, the suffering of one's wife — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 31 (garuda.2.20.31)

श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणेषु धर्मशास्त्रसमुद्भवे । अभावो जायते धर्मे सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

śrutismṛtipurāṇeṣu dharmaśāstrasamudbhave | abhāvo jāyate dharme sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

When distaste arises for the dharma born of Shruti, Smriti, the Puranas, and the dharma-shastras — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 32 (garuda.2.20.32)

देवतीर्थद्विजानां तु निन्दांयः कुरुते नरः । प्रत्यक्षं वा परोक्षं वा सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

devatīrthadvijānāṁ tu nindāṁyaḥ kurute naraḥ | pratyakṣaṁ vā parokṣaṁ vā sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

The man who reviles the gods, the sacred places, and the brahmins, whether openly or in secret — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 33 (garuda.2.20.33)

स्ववृत्तिहरणं यच्च स्वप्रतिष्ठाहतिस्तथा । वंशच्छेदः नदृश्येत प्रेतदोषाद्विनान्यथा

svavṛttiharaṇaṁ yacca svapratiṣṭhāhatistathā | vaṁśacchedaḥ nadṛśyeta pretadoṣādvinānyathā

The loss of one's own livelihood, the destruction of one's own standing, the extinction of one's lineage — this is never seen except through the fault of a preta.

Verse 34 (garuda.2.20.34)

स्त्रीणां गर्भविनाशः स्यान्न पुष्पं दृश्यते तथा । बालानां मरणं यत्र सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

strīṇāṁ garbhavināśaḥ syānna puṣpaṁ dṛśyate tathā | bālānāṁ maraṇaṁ yatra sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

Women's pregnancies fail, fertility itself does not appear, children die — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 35 (garuda.2.20.35)

भावशुद्ध्या न कुरुते श्राद्धं सांवत्सरादिकम् । स्वयमेव न कुर्वीत सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

bhāvaśuddhyā na kurute śrāddhaṁ sāṁvatsarādikam | svayameva na kurvīta sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

He who does not perform the yearly and other shraddhas with a pure heart, who does not himself perform them — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 36 (garuda.2.20.36)

तीर्थे गत्त्वा परासक्तः स्वकृत्यं च परित्यजेत् । धर्मकार्ये न सम्पत्तिः सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

tīrthe gattvā parāsaktaḥ svakṛtyaṁ ca parityajet | dharmakārye na sampattiḥ sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

Even going to a tirtha, becoming absorbed in other matters, abandoning one's own duty, finding no success in matters of dharma — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 37 (garuda.2.20.37)

दम्पत्योः कलहश्चैव भोजने कोपसंयुतः । परद्रोहे मतिश्चैव सा पीडा प्रेतसंभवा

dampatyoḥ kalahaścaiva bhojane kopasaṁyutaḥ | paradrohe matiścaiva sā pīḍā pretasaṁbhavā

Quarrel between husband and wife, anger at mealtimes, a mind bent on harming others — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 38 (garuda.2.20.38)

पुष्पं यत्र न दृश्येन फलं तथा । विरहो भार्यया यत्र सा पीडा प्रेतसग्भवा

puṣpaṁ yatra na dṛśyena phalaṁ tathā | viraho bhāryayā yatra sā pīḍā pretasagbhavā

Where fruit is not seen to form, where separation from one's wife occurs — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 39 (garuda.2.20.39)

येषां वै जायते चिह्नं सदोच्चाटपरं नृणाम् । स्वक्षेत्रे निष्फलं तेजः सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

yeṣāṁ vai jāyate cihnaṁ sadoccāṭaparaṁ nṛṇām | svakṣetre niṣphalaṁ tejaḥ sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

Those men in whom a sign of restless agitation constantly arises, whose vigor proves fruitless even in their own field — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 40 (garuda.2.20.40)

स्वगोत्रघातकश्चैव हन्ति शत्रुमिवात्मजम् । न प्रीतिर्नापि सौख्यं च सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

svagotraghātakaścaiva hanti śatrumivātmajam | na prītirnāpi saukhyaṁ ca sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

He who is a destroyer of his own gotra, who strikes his own son as though he were an enemy, in whom there is neither affection nor happiness — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 41 (garuda.2.20.41)

पितृवाक्यं न कुरुते स्वपत्नीं च न सेवते । सदा क्रूरमतिर्व्यग्रः सा पीडा प्रेतसम्भवा

pitṛvākyaṁ na kurute svapatnīṁ ca na sevate | sadā krūramatirvyagraḥ sā pīḍā pretasambhavā

He who does not obey his father's word, who does not care for his own wife, who is ever cruel-minded and agitated — this affliction arises from a preta.

Verse 42 (garuda.2.20.42)

विकर्मा जायते प्रेतो ह्यविधिक्रियया तथा । तत्कालदुष्टसंसर्गाद्वृषोत्सर्गादृते तथा

vikarmā jāyate preto hyavidhikriyayā tathā | tatkāladuṣṭasaṁsargādvṛṣotsargādṛte tathā

Through an improperly performed rite too, a preta given to evil deeds arises — through evil company at that time, and also without the vrishotsarga,

Verse 43 (garuda.2.20.43)

दृष्टगृत्युवशाद्वापि अदग्धवपुषस्तथा । प्रेतत्वं जायते तार्क्ष्य पीड्यन्ते येन जन्तवः

dṛṣṭagṛtyuvaśādvāpi adagdhavapuṣastathā | pretatvaṁ jāyate tārkṣya pīḍyante yena jantavaḥ

or also through the power of an evil death, and for one whose body was never cremated — O Tarkshya, thus does the state of a preta arise, by which creatures are afflicted.

Verse 44 (garuda.2.20.44)

एवं ज्ञात्वा खगश्रेष्ठ प्रेतमुक्तिं समाचरेत् । यो वै न मन्यते प्रेतान्मृतः प्रेतत्वमाप्नुयात्

evaṁ jñātvā khagaśreṣṭha pretamuktiṁ samācaret | yo vai na manyate pretānmṛtaḥ pretatvamāpnuyāt

O best of birds, knowing this, one should undertake the release of pretas. He who does not believe in pretas himself attains the state of a preta upon death.

Verse 45 (garuda.2.20.45)

प्रेतदोषः कुले यस्य सुखं तस्य न विद्यते । मतिः प्रीती रतिर्बुद्धिर्लक्ष्मीः पञ्चविनाशनम्

pretadoṣaḥ kule yasya sukhaṁ tasya na vidyate | matiḥ prītī ratirbuddhirlakṣmīḥ pañcavināśanam

In whatever family the fault of a preta exists, happiness is found nowhere within it; intelligence, affection, joy, discernment, and prosperity — these five are destroyed,

Verse 46 (garuda.2.20.46)

तृतीये पञ्चमे पुंसि वंशच्छेदो हि जायते । दरिद्रो निर्धनश्चैव पापकर्मा भवेभवे

tṛtīye pañcame puṁsi vaṁśacchedo hi jāyate | daridro nirdhanaścaiva pāpakarmā bhavebhave

and, by the third or fifth generation, the lineage itself is cut off entirely. Such a man is, birth after birth, poor, destitute, and given to sin.

Verse 47 (garuda.2.20.47)

ये केचित्पेतरूपा विकृतमुखदृशो रौद्ररूपाः कराला मन्यन्ते नैव गोत्रं सुतदुहितृपितॄन् भ्रातृजायां वधूं वा । कृत्वा काम्यं च रूपं सुखगतिरहिता भाषमाणा यथेष्टं हा कष्टं भोक्तुकामा विधिवशपतिताः संस्मरन्ति स्वपाकम्

ye kecitpetarūpā vikṛtamukhadṛśo raudrarūpāḥ karālā manyante naiva gotraṁ sutaduhitṛpitṝn bhrātṛjāyāṁ vadhūṁ vā | kṛtvā kāmyaṁ ca rūpaṁ sukhagatirahitā bhāṣamāṇā yatheṣṭaṁ hā kaṣṭaṁ bhoktukāmā vidhivaśapatitāḥ saṁsmaranti svapākam

Those who exist in the form of pretas, with distorted faces and eyes, terrible and hideous in form, no longer recognize their own gotra, their sons and daughters, their parents, their brother's wife, or their daughter-in-law; assuming whatever form they wish, wandering restlessly, speaking as they please, crying 'alas, what misery!', longing to partake once more, fallen under the sway of fate, they remain forever recalling the deeds of their own past.