Bhishma's Account: The Causes of the Preta State

Verse 1 (garuda.2.22.1)

गरुड उवाच । सम्भवन्ति कथं प्रेताः केन तेषां गतिर्भवेत् । कीदृक्तेषां भवेद्रूपं भोजनं किं भवेत्प्रभो

garuḍa uvāca | sambhavanti kathaṁ pretāḥ kena teṣāṁ gatirbhavet | kīdṛkteṣāṁ bhavedrūpaṁ bhojanaṁ kiṁ bhavetprabho

Garuda said: How do pretas come into being, and by what cause do they attain release? O Lord, what is their form, and what is their food?

Verse 2 (garuda.2.22.2)

सुप्रीतास्ते कथं प्रेताः क्व तिष्ठन्ति सुरेश्वर । प्रसन्नः कृपया देव प्रश्रमेनं वदस्व मे

suprītāste kathaṁ pretāḥ kva tiṣṭhanti sureśvara | prasannaḥ kṛpayā deva praśramenaṁ vadasva me

How do those pretas become well pleased, O lord of gods, and where do they dwell? O God, be pleased and, out of kindness, tell me this.

Verse 3 (garuda.2.22.3)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । पापकर्मरता ये वै पूर्वकर्मवशानुगाः । जायन्ते ते मृताः प्रेतास्ताञ्छृणुष्व वदाम्यहम्

śrībhagavānuvāca | pāpakarmaratā ye vai pūrvakarmavaśānugāḥ | jāyante te mṛtāḥ pretāstāñchṛṇuṣva vadāmyaham

The Blessed Lord said: Those devoted to sinful deeds, subject to the sway of their own former deeds, become pretas upon death. Hear of them; I shall tell you.

Verse 4 (garuda.2.22.4)

वापीकूपतडागांश्च आरामं सुरमन्दिरम् । प्रपां सद्म सुवृक्षांश्च तथा भोजनशालिकाः

vāpīkūpataḍāgāṁśca ārāmaṁ suramandiram | prapāṁ sadma suvṛkṣāṁśca tathā bhojanaśālikāḥ

A step-well, a well, a pond, a garden, a temple, a water-shed, a dwelling, fine trees, and feeding-houses —

Verse 5 (garuda.2.22.5)

पितृपैतामहं धर्मं किक्रीणाति स पापभाक् । मृतः प्रेतत्वमाप्नोति यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्

pitṛpaitāmahaṁ dharmaṁ kikrīṇāti sa pāpabhāk | mṛtaḥ pretatvamāpnoti yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

whoever destroys such a work of dharma established by his ancestors and forefathers, that sinner, upon death, attains the state of a preta until the very dissolution of the universe.

Verse 6 (garuda.2.22.6)

गोचरं ग्रामसीमां तडागारामगह्वरम् । कर्षयन्ति च ये लोभात्प्रेतास्ते वै भवन्ति हि

gocaraṁ grāmasīmāṁ taḍāgārāmagahvaram | karṣayanti ca ye lobhātpretāste vai bhavanti hi

Those who, out of greed, destroy pastureland, a village boundary, a pond, a garden, or a cave — they too certainly become pretas.

Verse 7 (garuda.2.22.7)

चण्डालादुदकात्सर्पाद्ब्राह्मणाद्बैद्युताग्नितः । दंष्ट्रिभ्यश्च पशुभ्यश्च मरणं पापकर्मिणाम्

caṇḍālādudakātsarpādbrāhmaṇādbaidyutāgnitaḥ | daṁṣṭribhyaśca paśubhyaśca maraṇaṁ pāpakarmiṇām

By a chandala, by water, by a serpent, by a brahmin's curse, by lightning and fire, by fanged beasts — the death of sinners comes about through these very means.

Verse 8 (garuda.2.22.8)

उद्बन्धनमृता ये च विषशस्त्रहताश्च ये । आत्मोपघातिनो ये च विषूच्यादिहतास्तथा

udbandhanamṛtā ye ca viṣaśastrahatāśca ye | ātmopaghātino ye ca viṣūcyādihatāstathā

Those who die by hanging, those killed by poison or weapon, those who take their own life, and those who die of cholera and the like,

Verse 9 (garuda.2.22.9)

महारोगैर्मृता ये च पापरोगैश्च दस्युभिः । असंस्कृतप्रमीता ये विहिताचारवर्जिताः

mahārogairmṛtā ye ca pāparogaiśca dasyubhiḥ | asaṁskṛtapramītā ye vihitācāravarjitāḥ

those who die of terrible diseases, and of diseases born of sin, and by the hands of bandits; those who die without proper rites, devoid of prescribed conduct,

Verse 10 (garuda.2.22.10)

वृषोत्सर्गादिलुप्ताश्चलुप्तमासिकपिण्डकाः । यस्यानयति शूद्रोग्निं तृणकाष्ठहवींषि सः

vṛṣotsargādiluptāścaluptamāsikapiṇḍakāḥ | yasyānayati śūdrogniṁ tṛṇakāṣṭhahavīṁṣi saḥ

those deprived of the vrishotsarga and the like, whose monthly pindas were neglected, for whom a shudra brings the fire, carrying grass, wood, and oblations,

Verse 11 (garuda.2.22.11)

पतनात्पर्वतानां च भित्तिपातेन ये मृताः । रजस्वलादिदोषैश्च न च भूमौ मताश्च ये

patanātparvatānāṁ ca bhittipātena ye mṛtāḥ | rajasvalādidoṣaiśca na ca bhūmau matāśca ye

those who died falling from mountains, or by a collapsing wall, through the fault of menstrual impurity and the like, and those who died not upon the ground,

Verse 12 (garuda.2.22.12)

अन्तरिक्षे मृता ये च विष्णुस्मरणवर्जिताः । सूतकैः श्वादिसंपर्कैः प्रेतभावा इह क्षितौ

antarikṣe mṛtā ye ca viṣṇusmaraṇavarjitāḥ | sūtakaiḥ śvādisaṁparkaiḥ pretabhāvā iha kṣitau

those who died in mid-air, those who lacked remembrance of Vishnu, through contact with birth-impurity and with dogs and the like — such people, upon this earth, attain the state of a preta.

Verse 13 (garuda.2.22.13)

एवमादिभिरन्यैश्च कुमृत्युवशगाश्च ये । ते सर्वे प्रेतयोनिस्था विचरन्ति मरुस्थले

evamādibhiranyaiśca kumṛtyuvaśagāśca ye | te sarve pretayonisthā vicaranti marusthale

By these and other such causes, falling under the sway of an evil death, all such people, dwelling in the state of a preta, wander through desert wastes.

Verse 14 (garuda.2.22.14)

मातरं भगिनीं भार्यां स्नुषां दुहितरं तथा । अदृष्टदोषां त्यजति स प्रेतो जायतेध्रुवम्

mātaraṁ bhaginīṁ bhāryāṁ snuṣāṁ duhitaraṁ tathā | adṛṣṭadoṣāṁ tyajati sa preto jāyatedhruvam

He who abandons his mother, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, or daughter, without any real fault of theirs, certainly becomes a preta.

Verse 15 (garuda.2.22.15)

भ्रातृध्रुग्ब्रह्महा गोघ्नः सुरापो गुरुतल्पगः । हेमक्षौमहरस्तार्क्ष्य स वै प्रेतत्वमाप्नुयात्

bhrātṛdhrugbrahmahā goghnaḥ surāpo gurutalpagaḥ | hemakṣaumaharastārkṣya sa vai pretatvamāpnuyāt

The betrayer of his brother, the killer of a brahmin, the killer of a cow, the drinker of liquor, one who defiles his guru's wife, O Tarkshya, and the thief of gold or silk — he certainly attains the state of a preta.

Verse 16 (garuda.2.22.16)

न्यासापहर्ता मित्रध्रुक्परदाररतस्तथा । विश्वासघाती क्रूरस्तु स प्रेतो जायते ध्रुवम्

nyāsāpahartā mitradhrukparadāraratastathā | viśvāsaghātī krūrastu sa preto jāyate dhruvam

The misappropriator of a trust, the betrayer of a friend, one devoted to another's wife, the treacherous and the cruel — he certainly becomes a preta.

Verse 17 (garuda.2.22.17)

कुलमार्गांश्च सन्त्यज्य परधर्मरतस्तथा । विद्यावृत्तविहीनश्च स प्रेतो जायतेध्रुवम्

kulamārgāṁśca santyajya paradharmaratastathā | vidyāvṛttavihīnaśca sa preto jāyatedhruvam

One who abandons his family's path and is devoted to another's dharma, devoid of learning and good conduct — he certainly becomes a preta.

Verse 18 (garuda.2.22.18)

अत्रैवोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । युधिष्ठिरस्य संवादं भीष्मेण सह सुव्रत । तदहं कथयिष्यामि यच्छ्रुत्वा सौख्यमाप्नुयात्

atraivodāharantīmamitihāsaṁ purātanam | yudhiṣṭhirasya saṁvādaṁ bhīṣmeṇa saha suvrata | tadahaṁ kathayiṣyāmi yacchrutvā saukhyamāpnuyāt

Here, on this very subject, this ancient history is related — O keeper of good vows, this dialogue of Yudhishthira with Bhishma; that very account I shall tell you, hearing which one attains happiness.

Verse 19 (garuda.2.22.19)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच । केन कर्मविपाकेन प्रेतत्वमुपजायते । केन वा मुच्यते कस्मात्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह । यच्छ्रुत्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्या मि सुव्रत

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | kena karmavipākena pretatvamupajāyate | kena vā mucyate kasmāttanme brūhi pitāmaha | yacchrutvā na punarmohamevaṁ yāsyā mi suvrata

Yudhishthira said: By the ripening of what deed does the state of a preta arise, and by what cause is one released from it? Tell me this, O grandsire, so that, having heard it, I may never again fall into such delusion, O keeper of good vows.

Verse 20 (garuda.2.22.20)

भीष्म उवाच । येनैव जायते प्रेतो येनैव स विमुच्यते । प्राप्नोति नरकं घोरं दुस्तरं दैवतैरपि

bhīṣma uvāca | yenaiva jāyate preto yenaiva sa vimucyate | prāpnoti narakaṁ ghoraṁ dustaraṁ daivatairapi

Bhishma said: The very cause by which one becomes a preta, and the very cause by which one is released from it — without knowing this, one attains a terrible hell, impassable even for the gods.

Verse 21 (garuda.2.22.21)

सततं श्रवणाद्यस्य पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनात् । मानवा विप्रमुच्यन्ते आपन्नाः प्रेतयोनिषु

satataṁ śravaṇādyasya puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanāt | mānavā vipramucyante āpannāḥ pretayoniṣu

By the constant hearing of which, by its meritorious hearing and recitation, men are freed from falling into the state of a preta —

Verse 22 (garuda.2.22.22)

श्रूयते हि पुरा वत्स ब्राह्मणः शंसितव्रतः । नाम्ना सन्तप्तकः ख्यात स्तपोर्ऽथे वनमाश्रितः

śrūyate hi purā vatsa brāhmaṇaḥ śaṁsitavrataḥ | nāmnā santaptakaḥ khyāta stapor'the vanamāśritaḥ

dear child, it is heard that in ancient times there was a brahmin, steadfast in his vows, known by the name 'Santapaka', who dwelt in the forest for the sake of austerity.

Verse 23 (garuda.2.22.23)

स्वाध्याययुक्तो होमेन यो (या) गयुक्तो दयान्वितः । यजन्स सकलान्यज्ञान्युक्त्या कालं च विक्षिपन्

svādhyāyayukto homena yo (yā) gayukto dayānvitaḥ | yajansa sakalānyajñānyuktyā kālaṁ ca vikṣipan

Devoted to self-study and oblation, disciplined in yoga, full of compassion, performing every sacrifice, passing his time with wisdom,

Verse 24 (garuda.2.22.24)

ब्रहामचर्यसमायुक्तो युक्तस्तपसि मार्दवे । परलोकभयोपेतः सत्यशौचैश्च निर्मलः

brahāmacaryasamāyukto yuktastapasi mārdave | paralokabhayopetaḥ satyaśaucaiśca nirmalaḥ

devoted to celibacy, intent on austerity and gentleness, mindful of the fear of the next world, purified by truth and cleanliness,

Verse 25 (garuda.2.22.25)

युक्तोऽहि गुरुवाक्येन युक्तश्चातिथिपूजने । आत्मयोगे सदोद्युक्तः सर्वद्वन्द्वविवर्जितः

yukto'hi guruvākyena yuktaścātithipūjane | ātmayoge sadodyuktaḥ sarvadvandvavivarjitaḥ

obedient to his guru's word, devoted to honoring guests, ever intent on the discipline of the self, free of every pair of opposites,

Verse 26 (garuda.2.22.26)

योगाभ्यासे सदा युक्तः संसारविजिगीषया । एवंवृत्तः सदाचारो मोक्षकाङ्क्षी जितेन्द्रियः

yogābhyāse sadā yuktaḥ saṁsāravijigīṣayā | evaṁvṛttaḥ sadācāro mokṣakāṁkṣī jitendriyaḥ

ever intent on the practice of yoga, desiring to conquer the round of worldly existence — of such conduct, virtuous, desirous of liberation, master of his senses, was that brahmin.

Verse 27 (garuda.2.22.27)

बहून्यब्दानि विजने वने तस्य गतानि वै । तस्य बुद्धिस्ततो जाता तीर्थानुगमनं प्रति

bahūnyabdāni vijane vane tasya gatāni vai | tasya buddhistato jātā tīrthānugamanaṁ prati

Many years passed for him in that lonely forest. Then this thought arose within him regarding pilgrimage —

Verse 28 (garuda.2.22.28)

पुण्यैस्तीर्थजलैरेव शोषयिष्ये कलेवरम् । स तीर्थेत्वरितं स्नात्वा तपस्वी भास्करोदये । कृतजाप्यनमस्कारो ह्यध्वानं प्रत्यपद्यत

puṇyaistīrthajalaireva śoṣayiṣye kalevaram | sa tīrthetvaritaṁ snātvā tapasvī bhāskarodaye | kṛtajāpyanamaskāro hyadhvānaṁ pratyapadyata

'I shall wither my very body with the sacred waters of the tirthas alone.' That ascetic, having bathed swiftly at a tirtha, at sunrise, having performed his recitation and salutation, set out upon the road.

Verse 29 (garuda.2.22.29)

एकस्मिन्दिवसे विप्रो मार्गभ्रष्टो महातपाः । ददर्शाध्वनि गच्छन्स पञ्च प्रेतान् सुदारुणान्

ekasmindivase vipro mārgabhraṣṭo mahātapāḥ | dadarśādhvani gacchansa pañca pretān sudāruṇān

One day that brahmin of great austerity strayed from the path; walking along, he saw upon the road five most terrible pretas,

Verse 30 (garuda.2.22.30)

अरण्ये निर्जने देशे संकटे वृक्षवर्जिते । पञ्चैतान्विकृताकारान्दृष्ट्वा वै घोरदर्शनान् । ईषत्सन्त्रस्तहृदयोऽतिष्ठदुन्मील्य लोचने

araṇye nirjane deśe saṁkaṭe vṛkṣavarjite | pañcaitānvikṛtākārāndṛṣṭvā vai ghoradarśanān | īṣatsantrastahṛdayo'tiṣṭhadunmīlya locane

in a lonely, treeless, narrow tract of forest. Seeing these five, deformed in shape, terrible to behold, he stood there, his heart somewhat frightened, eyes wide open.

Verse 31 (garuda.2.22.31)

अवलम्ब्य ततो धैर्यं भयमुत्सृज्य दूरतः । पप्रच्छ मधुराभाषी के यूयं विकृताननाः

avalambya tato dhairyaṁ bhayamutsṛjya dūrataḥ | papraccha madhurābhāṣī ke yūyaṁ vikṛtānanāḥ

Then, taking hold of his patience, casting fear far away, he asked in a gentle voice — 'Who are you, with such deformed faces?

Verse 32 (garuda.2.22.32)

किञ्चाशुभं कृतं कर्म येन प्राप्ताः स्थ वैकृतम् । कथं वा चैकतः कर्म प्रस्थिताः कुत्र निश्चितम्

kiñcāśubhaṁ kṛtaṁ karma yena prāptāḥ stha vaikṛtam | kathaṁ vā caikataḥ karma prasthitāḥ kutra niścitam

And what evil deed did you commit, by which you attained this deformity? And by what single deed have you all set out on this journey — where is your destination fixed?'

Verse 33 (garuda.2.22.33)

प्रेतराज उवाच । स्वैः स्वैस्तु कर्मभिः प्राप्तं प्रेतत्वं हि द्विजोत्तम । परद्रोहरताः सर्वे पापमृत्युवशं गताः

pretarāja uvāca | svaiḥ svaistu karmabhiḥ prāptaṁ pretatvaṁ hi dvijottama | paradroharatāḥ sarve pāpamṛtyuvaśaṁ gatāḥ

The king of the pretas said: O foremost of brahmins, by our own respective deeds have we attained this state of a preta. All of us were devoted to injuring others, and thus fell under the sway of a sinful death.

Verse 34 (garuda.2.22.34)

क्षुत्पिपासार्दिता नित्यं प्रेतत्वं समुपागताः । हतवाक्या हतश्रीका हत संज्ञा विचेतसः

kṣutpipāsārditā nityaṁ pretatvaṁ samupāgatāḥ | hatavākyā hataśrīkā hata saṁjñā vicetasaḥ

Ever tormented by hunger and thirst, we have attained the state of a preta — our speech destroyed, our beauty destroyed, our very awareness destroyed, senseless.

Verse 35 (garuda.2.22.35)

न जानीमो दिशं तात विदिशं चातिदुः खिताः । क्व नु गच्छामहे मूढाः पिशाचाः कर्मजा वयम्

na jānīmo diśaṁ tāta vidiśaṁ cātiduḥ khitāḥ | kva nu gacchāmahe mūḍhāḥ piśācāḥ karmajā vayam

Dear one, we know neither direction nor sub-direction, and are in the greatest distress. Where should we go, deluded pishachas born of our own deeds?

Verse 36 (garuda.2.22.36)

न माता न पितास्माकं प्रेतत्वं कर्मभिः स्वकैः । प्राप्ताः स्म सहसा जातदुः खोद्वेगसमाकुलम्

na mātā na pitāsmākaṁ pretatvaṁ karmabhiḥ svakaiḥ | prāptāḥ sma sahasā jātaduḥ khodvegasamākulam

We have no mother, no father; through our own deeds we have attained the state of a preta — thrown into turmoil by sudden-arisen sorrow and anguish.

Verse 37 (garuda.2.22.37)

दर्शनेन च ते ब्रह्मन्मुदिताप्यायिता वयम् । मुहूर्तन्तिष्ठ वक्ष्यामि वृत्तान्तं सर्वमादितः

darśanena ca te brahmanmuditāpyāyitā vayam | muhūrtantiṣṭha vakṣyāmi vṛttāntaṁ sarvamāditaḥ

O brahmin, by the sight of you we have become joyful and nourished. Wait a moment, I shall tell you the whole account from the beginning.

Verse 38 (garuda.2.22.38)

अहं पर्युषितो नाम एष सूचीमुखस्तथा । शीघ्रगो रोघ (ह) कश्चैव पञ्चमो लेखकः स्मतृतः

ahaṁ paryuṣito nāma eṣa sūcīmukhastathā | śīghrago rogha (ha) kaścaiva pañcamo lekhakaḥ smatṛtaḥ

I am named 'Paryushita'; this one is 'Suchimukha'; there are also 'Shighraga' and 'Rodhaka'; and the fifth is remembered as 'Lekhaka'.

Verse 39 (garuda.2.22.39)

एवं नाम्ना च सर्वे वै संप्राप्ताः प्रेततां वयम् । ब्राह्मण उवाच । प्रेतानां कर्मजातानां कथं वै नामसम्भवः । किञ्चित्कारणमुदिश्य येन ब्रूयाः स्वनामकान्

evaṁ nāmnā ca sarve vai saṁprāptāḥ pretatāṁ vayam | brāhmaṇa uvāca | pretānāṁ karmajātānāṁ kathaṁ vai nāmasambhavaḥ | kiñcitkāraṇamudiśya yena brūyāḥ svanāmakān

Thus, by our respective names, we have all attained the state of pretas.' The brahmin said: 'How did the names of you pretas, born of your deeds, come about? Tell me your names, each explaining the reason for it.'

Verse 40 (garuda.2.22.40)

प्रेतराज उवाच । मया स्वादु सदा भुक्तं दत्तं पर्युषितं द्विज

pretarāja uvāca | mayā svādu sadā bhuktaṁ dattaṁ paryuṣitaṁ dvija

The king of the pretas said: 'I always ate savory food myself, and, O brahmin, gave stale food to a brahmin,'

Verse 41 (garuda.2.22.41)

शीघ्रं गच्छति विप्रेण याचितः क्षुधितेन वै । एतत्कारणमुद्दिश्य नाम पर्युषितं मम

śīghraṁ gacchati vipreṇa yācitaḥ kṣudhitena vai | etatkāraṇamuddiśya nāma paryuṣitaṁ mama

'who, tormented by hunger, having begged, went away quickly — for this reason my name is Paryushita.'

Verse 42 (garuda.2.22.42)

शीघ्रं गच्छति विप्रेण याचितः क्षुधितेन वै । एतत्कारणमुद्दिश्य शीघ्रगोऽयं द्विजोत्तम

śīghraṁ gacchati vipreṇa yācitaḥ kṣudhitena vai | etatkāraṇamuddiśya śīghrago'yaṁ dvijottama

'O foremost of brahmins, another, when begged by a hungry brahmin, quickly went away — for this reason this one is called Shighraga.'

Verse 43 (garuda.2.22.43)

सूचिता बहवोऽनेन विप्रा अन्नाधिकाङ्क्षया । एतत्कारणमुद्दिश्य एष सूचिमुखः स्मृतः

sūcitā bahavo'nena viprā annādhikāṁkṣayā | etatkāraṇamuddiśya eṣa sūcimukhaḥ smṛtaḥ

'By this one, out of excessive craving for food, many brahmins were driven away with a mere gesture — for this reason this one is called Suchimukha.'

Verse 44 (garuda.2.22.44)

एकाकी मिष्टमश्राति पोष्यवर्गमृते सदा । ब्राह्मणानामभावेन रोध (ह) कस्तेन चोच्यते

ekākī miṣṭamaśrāti poṣyavargamṛte sadā | brāhmaṇānāmabhāvena rodha (ha) kastena cocyate

'He who alone eats sweet food, apart from his own dependents, on account of his refusal to provide for brahmins is called Rodhaka.'

Verse 45 (garuda.2.22.45)

पुरायं मौनमास्थाय याचितो विलिखेद्भुवम् । तेन कर्मविपाकेन लेखको नाम चोच्यते

purāyaṁ maunamāsthāya yācito vilikhedbhuvam | tena karmavipākena lekhako nāma cocyate

'In a former time, this one, keeping silent when begged, merely scratched lines upon the ground — by the ripening of this deed he is called Lekhaka.'

Verse 46 (garuda.2.22.46)

प्रेतत्वं कर्मभावेन प्राप्तं नामानि च द्विज । मेषाननो लेखकोऽयं रोध (ह) कः पर्वताननः

pretatvaṁ karmabhāvena prāptaṁ nāmāni ca dvija | meṣānano lekhako'yaṁ rodha (ha) kaḥ parvatānanaḥ

'O brahmin, through the nature of our own respective deeds we have attained this state of a preta and these names — this Lekhaka with the face of a ram, this Rodhaka with the face of a mountain,'

Verse 47 (garuda.2.22.47)

शीघ्रगः पुशुवक्त्रश्च सूचकः सूचिवक्त्रवान् । दुःखिता नितरां स्वमिन्पश्य रूपविपर्ययम्

śīghragaḥ puśuvaktraśca sūcakaḥ sūcivaktravān | duḥkhitā nitarāṁ svaminpaśya rūpaviparyayam

'this Shighraga with the face of a beast, and this Suchaka with a needle-like face. O Lord, behold, in our great distress, this reversal of our very form —'

Verse 48 (garuda.2.22.48)

कृत्वा मायामयं रूपं विचरामो महीतले । सर्वे च विकृताकारा लम्बोष्ठा विकृताननाः

kṛtvā māyāmayaṁ rūpaṁ vicarāmo mahītale | sarve ca vikṛtākārā lamboṣṭhā vikṛtānanāḥ

'assuming an illusory form we wander upon the earth, all of deformed shape, with hanging lips and distorted faces,'

Verse 49 (garuda.2.22.49)

बृहच्छरीरिणो रौद्रा जाताः स्वेनैव कर्मणा । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं प्रेतत्वे कारणं मया

bṛhaccharīriṇo raudrā jātāḥ svenaiva karmaṇā | etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ pretatve kāraṇaṁ mayā

'huge of body, terrible, made so by our own deeds. All this have I told you as the cause of our state as pretas.'

Verse 50 (garuda.2.22.50)

ज्ञानिनोऽपि वयं सर्वे जाताः स्म तव दर्शनात् । यत्र ते श्रवणे श्रद्धा तत्पृच्छ कथयामि ते

jñānino'pi vayaṁ sarve jātāḥ sma tava darśanāt | yatra te śravaṇe śraddhā tatpṛccha kathayāmi te

'By the sight of you we have all become knowing as well. Ask whatever subject you have faith in, and I shall tell you.'

Verse 51 (garuda.2.22.51)

ब्राह्मण उवाच । ये जीवा भुवि जीवन्ति सर्वेऽप्याहारमूलकाः । युष्माकमपिचाहारं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः

brāhmaṇa uvāca | ye jīvā bhuvi jīvanti sarve'pyāhāramūlakāḥ | yuṣmākamapicāhāraṁ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ

The brahmin said: 'Whatever living beings dwell upon this earth, all of them regard food as their very foundation. I wish to hear the truth about your food as well.'

Verse 52 (garuda.2.22.52)

प्रेता ऊचुः । यदि ते श्रवणे श्रद्धा आहाराणां द्विजोत्तम । अस्माकं तु महीभाग शृणुत्वं सुसमाहितः

pretā ūcuḥ | yadi te śravaṇe śraddhā āhārāṇāṁ dvijottama | asmākaṁ tu mahībhāga śṛṇutvaṁ susamāhitaḥ

The pretas said: 'O foremost of brahmins, if you have faith enough to hear of our food, O most fortunate one, then listen with a focused mind.'

Verse 53 (garuda.2.22.53)

ब्राह्मण उवाच । कथयन्तु महाप्रेता आहारं च पृथक्पृथक् । इत्युक्तां ब्राह्मणेनेममूचुः प्रेताः पृथकपृथक्

brāhmaṇa uvāca | kathayantu mahāpretā āhāraṁ ca pṛthakpṛthak | ityuktāṁ brāhmaṇenemamūcuḥ pretāḥ pṛthakapṛthak

The brahmin said: 'O great pretas, tell me your food, each of you separately.' Thus addressed by the brahmin, the pretas spoke, each in turn.

Verse 54 (garuda.2.22.54)

प्रेता ऊचुः । शृणु चाहारमस्माकं सर्वसत्त्बविगर्हितम् । यच्छ्रुत्वा गर्हसे ब्रह्मन् भूयोभूयश्च गर्हितम्

pretā ūcuḥ | śṛṇu cāhāramasmākaṁ sarvasattbavigarhitam | yacchrutvā garhase brahman bhūyobhūyaśca garhitam

The pretas said: 'Hear our food, which is despised by every creature. Hearing it, O brahmin, you shall revile it again and again.'

Verse 55 (garuda.2.22.55)

श्लेष्ममूत्रपुरीषोत्थं शरीराणां मलैः सह । उच्छिष्टैश्चैव चान्यैश्च प्रेतानां भोजनं भवेत्

śleṣmamūtrapurīṣotthaṁ śarīrāṇāṁ malaiḥ saha | ucchiṣṭaiścaiva cānyaiśca pretānāṁ bhojanaṁ bhavet

Born of phlegm, urine, and excrement, together with the impurities of bodies, along with leftovers and other such things — this is the food of the pretas.

Verse 56 (garuda.2.22.56)

गृहाणि चाप्यशौचानि प्रकीर्णोपस्कराणि च । मलिनानि प्रसूतानि प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्र वै

gṛhāṇi cāpyaśaucāni prakīrṇopaskarāṇi ca | malināni prasūtāni pretā bhuñjanti tatra vai

Impure houses too, in which goods lie scattered and unclean, where birth-impurity prevails — there the pretas take their food.

Verse 57 (garuda.2.22.57)

नास्ति सत्यं गृहे यत्र न शौचं न च संयमः । पतितैर्दस्युभिः सङ्गः प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्र वै

nāsti satyaṁ gṛhe yatra na śaucaṁ na ca saṁyamaḥ | patitairdasyubhiḥ saṁgaḥ pretā bhuñjanti tatra vai

In whatever house there is neither truth, nor cleanliness, nor restraint, where there is company with the fallen and with bandits — there the pretas take their food.

Verse 58 (garuda.2.22.58)

बलिमन्त्रविहीनानि होमहीनानि यानि च । स्वाध्याय व्रतहीनानि प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्र वै

balimantravihīnāni homahīnāni yāni ca | svādhyāya vratahīnāni pretā bhuñjanti tatra vai

Whatever rites are devoid of offering and mantra, devoid of oblation, devoid of self-study and vow — there the pretas take their food.

Verse 59 (garuda.2.22.59)

न लज्जा न च मर्यादा यदात्र स्त्रीजितो गृही । गुरवो यत्र पूज्या न प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्र वै

na lajjā na ca maryādā yadātra strījito gṛhī | guravo yatra pūjyā na pretā bhuñjanti tatra vai

Where there is neither shame nor propriety, where the householder is ruled by his wife, where elders are not honored — there the pretas take their food.

Verse 60 (garuda.2.22.60)

यत्र लोभस्तथा क्रोधो निद्रा शोको भयं मदः । आलस्यं कलहो नित्यं प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्र वै

yatra lobhastathā krodho nidrā śoko bhayaṁ madaḥ | ālasyaṁ kalaho nityaṁ pretā bhuñjanti tatra vai

Where there is greed, anger, sleep, grief, fear, arrogance, indolence, and constant quarrel — there the pretas take their food.

Verse 61 (garuda.2.22.61)

भर्तृहीना च या नारी परवीर्यं निषेवते । बीजं मूत्रसमायुर्क्त प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्तु वै

bhartṛhīnā ca yā nārī paravīryaṁ niṣevate | bījaṁ mūtrasamāyurkta pretā bhuñjanti tattu vai

That semen, mixed with urine, of another man which a husbandless woman receives — there too the pretas take their food.

Verse 62 (garuda.2.22.62)

लज्जा मे जायते तात वदतो भोजनं स्वकम् । यत्स्त्रीरजो योनिगतं प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्तु वै

lajjā me jāyate tāta vadato bhojanaṁ svakam | yatstrīrajo yonigataṁ pretā bhuñjanti tattu vai

Dear one, telling of my own food, shame arises within me. That very menstrual matter fallen within a woman's womb — there too the pretas take their food.

Verse 63 (garuda.2.22.63)

निर्विण्णाः प्रेतभावेन पृच्छामि त्वां दृढव्रत । यथा न भविता प्रेतस्तन्मे वद तपोधन । नित्यं मृत्युर्वरं जन्तोः प्रेतत्वं मा भवेत्क्वचित्

nirviṇṇāḥ pretabhāvena pṛcchāmi tvāṁ dṛḍhavrata | yathā na bhavitā pretastanme vada tapodhana | nityaṁ mṛtyurvaraṁ jantoḥ pretatvaṁ mā bhavetkvacit

'Wearied by the state of a preta, I ask you this, O firm in your vows — tell me how one might never become a preta, O wealthy in austerity. For a creature, death is always preferable; may the state of a preta never come to be.'

Verse 64 (garuda.2.22.64)

ब्राह्मण उवाच । उपवासपरो नित्यं कृच्छ्रचान्द्रायणे रतः । व्रतैश्च विविधैः पूतो न प्रेतो जायते नरः

brāhmaṇa uvāca | upavāsaparo nityaṁ kṛcchracāndrāyaṇe rataḥ | vrataiśca vividhaiḥ pūto na preto jāyate naraḥ

The brahmin said: He who is ever devoted to fasting, engaged in the krichchhra and chandrayana vows, purified by manifold observances — such a man does not become a preta.

Verse 65 (garuda.2.22.65)

एकादश्यां व्रतं कुर्वञ्जागरेण समन्वितम् । अपरैः सुकृतैः पूतो न प्रेतो न प्रेतो जायते नरः

ekādaśyāṁ vrataṁ kurvañjāgareṇa samanvitam | aparaiḥ sukṛtaiḥ pūto na preto na preto jāyate naraḥ

One who keeps the Ekadashi vow together with a night-vigil, a man purified by other good deeds, never becomes a preta.

Verse 66 (garuda.2.22.66)

इष्ट्वा वै वाश्वमेधादीन्दद्याद्दानानि यो नरः । आरामोद्यानवाप्यादेः प्रपायाश्चैव कारकः

iṣṭvā vai vāśvamedhādīndadyāddānāni yo naraḥ | ārāmodyānavāpyādeḥ prapāyāścaiva kārakaḥ

He who, having performed the Ashvamedha and other sacrifices, gives gifts, who builds gardens, orchards, step-wells and the like, and water-sheds,

Verse 67 (garuda.2.22.67)

कुमारीं ब्राह्मणानां तु विवाहयति शक्तितः । विद्यादोऽभयदश्चैव न प्रेतो जायते नरः

kumārīṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ tu vivāhayati śaktitaḥ | vidyādo'bhayadaścaiva na preto jāyate naraḥ

who, according to his means, arranges the marriage of a brahmin's daughter, who gives knowledge and freedom from fear — such a man does not become a preta.

Verse 68 (garuda.2.22.68)

शूद्रान्नेन तु भुक्तेन जठरस्थेन यो मृतः । दुर्मृत्युना मृतो यश्च स प्रेतो जायते नरः

śūdrānnena tu bhuktena jaṭharasthena yo mṛtaḥ | durmṛtyunā mṛto yaśca sa preto jāyate naraḥ

He who dies with a shudra's food still within his belly, and he who dies an evil death — such a man becomes a preta.

Verse 69 (garuda.2.22.69)

अयाज्ययाजकश्चैव याज्यानां च विवर्जकः । कारुभिश्च रतो नित्यं स प्रेतो जायते नरः

ayājyayājakaścaiva yājyānāṁ ca vivarjakaḥ | kārubhiśca rato nityaṁ sa preto jāyate naraḥ

One who officiates sacrifice for the unworthy, who abandons his rightful patrons, who is ever consorting with artisans of low repute — such a man becomes a preta.

Verse 70 (garuda.2.22.70)

कृत्वा मद्यपसम्पर्कं मद्यपस्त्रीनिषेवणम् । अज्ञानाद्भक्षयन्मांसं स प्रेतो जायते नरः

kṛtvā madyapasamparkaṁ madyapastrīniṣevaṇam | ajñānādbhakṣayanmāṁsaṁ sa preto jāyate naraḥ

Having consorted with a drunkard, having taken a drunkard woman, having eaten meat unknowingly — such a man becomes a preta.

Verse 71 (garuda.2.22.71)

देवद्रव्यं च ब्रह्मस्वं गुरुद्रव्यं तथैव च । कन्यां ददाति शुल्केन स प्रेतो जायते नरः

devadravyaṁ ca brahmasvaṁ gurudravyaṁ tathaiva ca | kanyāṁ dadāti śulkena sa preto jāyate naraḥ

One who seizes the property of a god, of a brahmin, or of a guru, who gives his daughter in marriage for a price — such a man becomes a preta.

Verse 72 (garuda.2.22.72)

मातरं भगिनीं भार्यां स्नुषां दुहितरं तथाः । अदृष्टदोषास्त्यजति स प्रेतो जादृ

mātaraṁ bhaginīṁ bhāryāṁ snuṣāṁ duhitaraṁ tathāḥ | adṛṣṭadoṣāstyajati sa preto jādṛ

He who abandons his mother, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, or daughter, without any real fault of theirs — such a man becomes a preta.

Verse 73 (garuda.2.22.73)

न्यासापहर्ता मित्रध्रुक्परदाररतः सदा । विश्वासघाती कूटश्च स प्रेदृ

nyāsāpahartā mitradhrukparadārarataḥ sadā | viśvāsaghātī kūṭaśca sa predṛ

The misappropriator of a trust, the betrayer of a friend, one ever devoted to another's wife, the treacherous and the deceitful — such a man becomes a preta.

Verse 74 (garuda.2.22.74)

भ्रातृध्रुग्ब्रह्महा गोघ्नः सुरापो गुरुतल्पगः । कुलमार्गं परित्यज्य ह्यनृतोक्तौ सदा रतः । हर्ता हेम्नश्च भूमेश्च स प्रेदृ

bhrātṛdhrugbrahmahā goghnaḥ surāpo gurutalpagaḥ | kulamārgaṁ parityajya hyanṛtoktau sadā rataḥ | hartā hemnaśca bhūmeśca sa predṛ

The betrayer of his brother, the killer of a brahmin, the killer of a cow, the drinker of liquor, one who defiles his guru's wife, one who abandons his family's path and is ever given to falsehood, the thief of gold and of land — such a man becomes a preta.

Verse 75 (garuda.2.22.75)

भीष्म उवाच । एवं ब्रुवति वै विप्रे आकाशे दुन्दुभिस्वनः । अपतत्पुष्पवर्षं च देवर्मुक्तं द्विजोपरि

bhīṣma uvāca | evaṁ bruvati vai vipre ākāśe dundubhisvanaḥ | apatatpuṣpavarṣaṁ ca devarmuktaṁ dvijopari

Bhishma said: As that brahmin was thus speaking, the sound of drums arose in the sky, and a shower of flowers, sent by the gods, fell upon that brahmin.

Verse 76 (garuda.2.22.76)

पञ्च देवविमानानि प्रेतानामागतानि वै । स्वर्गं गता विमानैस्ते दिव्यैः संपृच्छ्य तं मुनिम्

pañca devavimānāni pretānāmāgatāni vai | svargaṁ gatā vimānaiste divyaiḥ saṁpṛcchya taṁ munim

Five celestial chariots came there for the pretas. They went to heaven upon those divine chariots, having first asked the sage's leave.

Verse 77 (garuda.2.22.77)

ज्ञानं विप्रस्य सम्भाषात्पुण्यसंकीर्तनेन च । प्रेताः पापविनिर्मुक्ताः परं पदमवाप्नुयुः

jñānaṁ viprasya sambhāṣātpuṇyasaṁkīrtanena ca | pretāḥ pāpavinirmuktāḥ paraṁ padamavāpnuyuḥ

Having gained knowledge through conversation with the brahmin and through the recitation of merit, those pretas, freed from sin, attained the highest state.

Verse 78 (garuda.2.22.78)

सूत उवाच । इदमाख्यानकं श्रुत्वा कम्पितोऽश्वत्थपत्रवत् । मानुषाणां हितार्थाय गरुडः पृष्टवान्पुनः

sūta uvāca | idamākhyānakaṁ śrutvā kampito'śvatthapatravat | mānuṣāṇāṁ hitārthāya garuḍaḥ pṛṣṭavānpunaḥ

Suta said: Having heard this account, trembling like a leaf of the ashvattha tree, Garuda, for the welfare of mankind, once more asked Krishna.