Garuda Purana — Uttara Khanda (Pretakalpa) — Chapter 22
GaP 2 22.1
श्रीगरुडमहापुराणम्- २२ गरुड उवाच । सम्भवन्ति कथं प्रेताः केन तेषां गतिर्भवेत् । कीदृक्तेषां भवेद्रूपं भोजनं किं भवेत्प्रभो
śrīgaruḍamahāpurāṇam- 22 garuḍa uvāca / sambhavanti kathaṃ pretāḥ kena teṣāṃ gatirbhavet / kīdṛkteṣāṃ bhavedrūpaṃ bhojanaṃ kiṃ bhavetprabho
The Glorious Garuḍa Mahāpurāṇa, 22. Garuḍa said: How do pretas come into being? By what means does their (onward) course occur? What sort of form do they have, and what, O Lord, is their food?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.2
सुप्रीतास्ते कथं प्रेताः क्व तिष्ठन्ति सुरेश्वर । प्रसन्नः कृपया देव प्रश्रमेनं वदस्व मे
suprītāste kathaṃ pretāḥ kva tiṣṭhanti sureśvara / prasannaḥ kṛpayā deva praśramenaṃ vadasva me
How are those pretas well pleased? Where do they dwell, O lord of the gods? Being gracious, O god, out of compassion tell me this at length.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
GaP 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 who delight in evil deeds, who are subject to the power of their former deeds — when dead they are born as pretas; hear about them, I shall tell (you).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.4
वापीकूपतडागांश्च आरामं सुरमन्दिरम् । प्रपां सद्म सुवृक्षांश्च तथा भोजनशालिकाः
vāpīkūpataḍāgāṃśca ārāmaṃ suramandiram / prapāṃ sadma suvṛkṣāṃśca tathā bhojanaśālikāḥ
Tanks, wells and ponds, a garden, a temple of the gods, a water-booth, a house, fine trees, and likewise dining-halls —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.5
पितृपैतामहं धर्मं किक्रीणाति स पापभाक् । मृतः प्रेतत्वमाप्नोति यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्
pitṛpaitāmahaṃ dharmaṃ kikrīṇāti sa pāpabhāk / mṛtaḥ pretatvamāpnoti yāvadābhūtasaṃplavam
whoever sells the pious foundation of his father and grandfather, he is a partaker of sin; when dead he attains the state of a preta until the dissolution of beings.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.6
गोचरं ग्रामसीमां तडागारामगह्वरम् । कर्षयन्ति च ये लोभात्प्रेतास्ते वै भवन्ति हि
gocaraṃ grāmasīmāṃ taḍāgārāmagahvaram / karṣayanti ca ye lobhātpretāste vai bhavanti hi
And those who out of greed plough up the pasture-land, the village boundary, a tank, a garden, or a thicket — they indeed become pretas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.7
चण्डालादुदकात्सर्पाद्ब्राह्मणाद्बैद्युताग्नितः । दंष्ट्रिभ्यश्च पशुभ्यश्च मरणं पापकर्मिणाम्
caṇḍālādudakātsarpādbrāhmaṇādbaidyutāgnitaḥ / daṃṣṭribhyaśca paśubhyaśca maraṇaṃ pāpakarmiṇām
For those who do evil deeds, death comes from a Caṇḍāla, from water, from a snake, from a brahmin, from lightning-fire, from fanged creatures and from beasts.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.8
उद्बन्धनमृता ये च विषशस्त्रहताश्च ये । आत्मोपघातिनो ये च विषूच्यादिहतास्तथा
udbandhanamṛtā ye ca viṣaśastrahatāśca ye / ātmopaghātino ye ca viṣūcyādihatāstathā
And those who have died by hanging, and those slain by poison or weapon, and those who destroy themselves, and likewise those struck down by cholera and the like—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.9
महारोगैर्मृता ये च पापरोगैश्च दस्युभिः । असंस्कृतप्रमीता ये विहिताचारवर्जिताः
mahārogairmṛtā ye ca pāparogaiśca dasyubhiḥ / asaṃskṛtapramītā ye vihitācāravarjitāḥ
and those who have died of great diseases, and by foul diseases, and by robbers; those who have perished without the (funeral) rites, being deprived of the prescribed observances—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.10
वृषोत्सर्गादिलुप्ताश्चलुप्तमासिकपिण्डकाः । यस्यानयति शूद्रोग्निं तृणकाष्ठहवींषि सः
vṛṣotsargādiluptāścaluptamāsikapiṇḍakāḥ / yasyānayati śūdrogniṃ tṛṇakāṣṭhahavīṃṣi saḥ
those for whom the release of a bull and the rest has been omitted, and whose monthly rice-balls have been omitted, and he for whom a Śūdra brings the fire, the grass, the wood and the oblations—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
GaP 2 22.11
पतनात्पर्वतानां च भित्तिपातेन ये मृताः । रजस्वलादिदोषैश्च न च भूमौ मताश्च ये
patanātparvatānāṃ ca bhittipātena ye mṛtāḥ / rajasvalādidoṣaiśca na ca bhūmau matāśca ye
and those who have died by falling from mountains, and by the fall of a wall, and through the defilements of a menstruating woman and the like, and those who have died not on the ground—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.12
अन्तरिक्षे मृता ये च विष्णुस्मरणवर्जिताः । सूतकैः श्वादिसंपर्कैः प्रेतभावा इह क्षितौ
antarikṣe mṛtā ye ca viṣṇusmaraṇavarjitāḥ / sūtakaiḥ śvādisaṃparkaiḥ pretabhāvā iha kṣitau
and those who have died in mid-air, and those who lacked the remembrance of Viṣṇu, (and those who died) amid birth-impurities or through contact with dogs and the like—(these become) ghosts here on earth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.13
एवमादिभिरन्यैश्च कुमृत्युवशगाश्च ये । ते सर्वे प्रेतयोनिस्था विचरन्ति मरुस्थले
evamādibhiranyaiśca kumṛtyuvaśagāśca ye / te sarve pretayonisthā vicaranti marusthale
And those who, by these and other such (causes), have fallen under an evil death—all of them, abiding in the condition of ghosts, wander in the desert waste.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.14
मातरं भगिनीं भार्यां स्नुषां दुहितरं तथा । अदृष्टदोषां त्यजति स प्रेतो जायतेध्रुवम्
mātaraṃ bhaginīṃ bhāryāṃ snuṣāṃ duhitaraṃ tathā / adṛṣṭadoṣāṃ tyajati sa preto jāyatedhruvam
He who abandons his mother, his sister, his wife, his daughter-in-law, or his daughter when no fault has been seen (in her)—he is surely born a ghost.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.15
भ्रातृध्रुग्ब्रह्महा गोघ्नः सुरापो गुरुतल्पगः । हेमक्षौमहरस्तार्क्ष्य स वै प्रेतत्वमाप्नुयात्
bhrātṛdhrugbrahmahā goghnaḥ surāpo gurutalpagaḥ / hemakṣaumaharastārkṣya sa vai pretatvamāpnuyāt
One who betrays his brother, a slayer of a brahmin, a killer of a cow, a drinker of liquor, one who violates his teacher's bed, a stealer of gold or of fine linen—he, O Tārkṣya, would attain the state of a ghost.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.16
न्यासापहर्ता मित्रध्रुक् परदाररतस्तथा । विश्वासघाती क्रूरस्तु स प्रेतो जायते ध्रुवम्
nyāsāpahartā mitradhruk paradāraratastathā / viśvāsaghātī krūrastu sa preto jāyate dhruvam
One who steals a deposit entrusted to him, one who betrays a friend, one addicted to others' wives, a breaker of trust, and a cruel man—he is surely born a ghost.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.17
कुलमार्गांश्च सन्त्यज्य परधर्मरतस्तथा । विद्यावृत्तविहीनश्च स प्रेतो जायतेध्रुवम्
kulamārgāṃśca santyajya paradharmaratastathā / vidyāvṛttavihīnaśca sa preto jāyatedhruvam
And he who, abandoning the ways of his family, is devoted to another's duty, and is destitute of learning and good conduct—he is surely born a ghost.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.18
अत्रैवोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । युधिष्ठिरस्य संवादं भीष्मेण सह सुव्रत । तदहं कथयिष्यामि यच्छ्रुत्वा सौख्यमाप्नुयात्
atraivodāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam / yudhiṣṭhirasya saṃvādaṃ bhīṣmeṇa saha suvrata / tadahaṃ kathayiṣyāmi yacchrutvā saukhyamāpnuyāt
On this very matter they relate this ancient tale, the conversation of Yudhiṣṭhira with Bhīṣma, O you of good vows; that I shall recount, hearing which one would attain happiness.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 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 punarmohamevaṃ yāsyā mi suvrata
Yudhiṣṭhira said: By the ripening of what deed does one come to be a ghost? And by what, or from what, is one released? Tell me that, grandfather—hearing which I shall not again fall into such confusion, O you of good vows.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 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 narakaṃ ghoraṃ dustaraṃ daivatairapi
Bhīṣma said: By that very (deed) by which one is born a ghost, by that very (means) he is released; (otherwise) he attains a dreadful hell, hard to cross even for the gods.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
GaP 2 22.21
सततं श्रवणाद्यस्य पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनात् । मानवा विप्रमुच्यन्ते आपन्नाः प्रेतयोनिषु
satataṃ śravaṇādyasya puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanāt / mānavā vipramucyante āpannāḥ pretayoniṣu
By constantly hearing this, whose hearing and recitation is meritorious, men who have fallen into the wombs of ghosts are wholly released.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.22
श्रूयते हि पुरा वत्स ब्राह्मणः शंसितव्रतः । नाम्ना सन्तप्तकः ख्यात स्तपोर्ऽथे वनमाश्रितः
śrūyate hi purā vatsa brāhmaṇaḥ śaṃsitavrataḥ / nāmnā santaptakaḥ khyāta stapor'the vanamāśritaḥ
For it is heard, my child, that long ago there was a brahmin of praised vows, known by the name Santaptaka, who resorted to the forest for the sake of austerity.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.23
स्वाध्याययुक्तो होमेन यो (या) गयुक्तो दयान्वितः । यजन्स सकलान्यज्ञान्युक्त्या कालं च विक्षिपन्
svādhyāyayukto homena yo (yā) gayukto dayānvitaḥ / yajansa sakalānyajñānyuktyā kālaṃ ca vikṣipan
Given to Vedic recitation, engaged in oblation and sacrifice, endowed with compassion, he passed the time performing all the sacrifices according to rule.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.24
ब्रहामचर्यसमायुक्तो युक्तस्तपसि मार्दवे । परलोकभयोपेतः सत्यशौचैश्च निर्मलः
brahāmacaryasamāyukto yuktastapasi mārdave / paralokabhayopetaḥ satyaśaucaiśca nirmalaḥ
Devoted to chastity, given to austerity and to gentleness, possessed of fear of the next world, and spotless in truth and purity;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.25
युक्तो ऽहि गुरुवाक्येन युक्तश्चातिथिपूजने । आत्मयोगे सदोद्युक्तः सर्वद्वन्द्वविवर्जितः
yukto 'hi guruvākyena yuktaścātithipūjane / ātmayoge sadodyuktaḥ sarvadvandvavivarjitaḥ
obedient indeed to his teacher's word, and given to the honouring of guests, ever intent on union with the Self, free from all pairs of opposites;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.26
योगाभ्यासे सदा युक्तः संसारविजिगीषया । एवंवृत्तः सदाचारो मोक्षकाङ्क्षी जितेन्द्रियः
yogābhyāse sadā yuktaḥ saṃsāravijigīṣayā / evaṃvṛttaḥ sadācāro mokṣakāṅkṣī jitendriyaḥ
ever engaged in the practice of yoga out of the wish to conquer the round of rebirth—of such conduct, of good practice, desiring liberation, with his senses subdued.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.27
बहून्यब्दानि विजने वने तस्य गतानि वै । तस्य बुद्धिस्ततो जाता तीर्थानुगमनं प्रति
bahūnyabdāni vijane vane tasya gatāni vai / tasya buddhistato jātā tīrthānugamanaṃ prati
Many years of his passed in a lonely forest; then a thought arose in him, about going on pilgrimage to the sacred fords.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.28
पुण्यैस्तीर्थजलैरेव शोषयिष्ये कलेवरम् । स तीर्थेत्वरितं स्नात्वा तपस्वी भास्करोदये । कृतजाप्यनमस्कारो ह्यध्वानं प्रत्यपद्यत
puṇyaistīrthajalaireva śoṣayiṣye kalevaram / sa tīrthetvaritaṃ snātvā tapasvī bhāskarodaye / kṛtajāpyanamaskāro hyadhvānaṃ pratyapadyata
"With the meritorious waters of the tīrthas alone I shall dry up this body." That ascetic, having bathed quickly at a tīrtha at sunrise, having performed his muttered prayer and his salutation, set out upon the road.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.29
एकस्मिन्दिवसे विप्रो मार्गभ्रष्टो महातपाः । ददर्शाध्वनि गच्छन्स पञ्च प्रेतान् सुदारुणान्
ekasmindivase vipro mārgabhraṣṭo mahātapāḥ / dadarśādhvani gacchansa pañca pretān sudāruṇān
On a certain day that brahmin of great austerity, having strayed from the path, as he went along the road saw five most terrible pretas,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.30
अरण्ये निर्जने देशे संकटे वृक्षवर्जिते । पञ्चैतान्विकृताकारान्दृष्ट्वा वै घोरदर्शनान् । ईषत्सन्त्रस्तहृदयो ऽतिष्ठदुन्मील्य लोचने
araṇye nirjane deśe saṃkaṭe vṛkṣavarjite / pañcaitānvikṛtākārāndṛṣṭvā vai ghoradarśanān / īṣatsantrastahṛdayo 'tiṣṭhadunmīlya locane
in a wilderness, in a deserted place, a narrow spot devoid of trees. Seeing these five, misshapen of form and dreadful to look upon, his heart somewhat terrified, he stood still with his eyes wide open.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.31
अवलम्ब्य ततो धैर्यं भयमुत्सृज्य दूरतः । पप्रच्छ मधुराभाषी के यूयं विकृताननाः
avalambya tato dhairyaṃ bhayamutsṛjya dūrataḥ / papraccha madhurābhāṣī ke yūyaṃ vikṛtānanāḥ
Then, taking hold of his firmness and casting off fear from a distance, speaking sweetly he asked: "Who are you, with distorted faces?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.32
किञ्चाशुभं कृतं कर्म येन प्राप्ताः स्थ वैकृतम् । कथं वा चैकतः कर्म प्रस्थिताः कुत्र निश्चितम्
kiñcāśubhaṃ kṛtaṃ karma yena prāptāḥ stha vaikṛtam / kathaṃ vā caikataḥ karma prasthitāḥ kutra niścitam
And what inauspicious deed was done, by which you have come to this deformity? And how is your deed of one kind? Where have you set out for, having settled upon it?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
GaP 2 22.33
प्रेतराज उवाच । स्वैः स्वैस्तु कर्मभिः प्राप्तं प्रेतत्वं हि द्विजोत्तम । परद्रोहरताः सर्वे पापमृत्युवशं गताः
pretarāja uvāca / svaiḥ svaistu karmabhiḥ prāptaṃ pretatvaṃ hi dvijottama / paradroharatāḥ sarve pāpamṛtyuvaśaṃ gatāḥ
The king of the pretas said: This state of being pretas has been obtained by our own several deeds, O best of the twice-born; all of us, given to injuring others, went under the sway of an evil death.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.34
क्षुत्पिपासार्दिता नित्यं प्रेतत्वं समुपागताः । हतवाक्या हतश्रीका हत संज्ञा विचेतसः
kṣutpipāsārditā nityaṃ pretatvaṃ samupāgatāḥ / hatavākyā hataśrīkā hata saṃjñā vicetasaḥ
Constantly afflicted by hunger and thirst, we have come to the state of pretas: our speech ruined, our splendour ruined, our awareness ruined, out of our senses.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.35
न जानीमो दिशं तात विदिशं चातिदुः खिताः । क्व नु गच्छामहे मूढाः पिशाचाः कर्मजा वयम्
na jānīmo diśaṃ tāta vidiśaṃ cātiduḥ khitāḥ / kva nu gacchāmahe mūḍhāḥ piśācāḥ karmajā vayam
We do not know the directions, dear sir, nor the intermediate directions, being exceedingly wretched. Where indeed shall we go, we deluded ones, piśācas produced by (our own) deeds?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.36
न माता न पितास्माकं प्रेतत्वं कर्मभिः स्वकैः । प्राप्ताः स्म सहसा जातदुः खोद्वेगसमाकुलम्
na mātā na pitāsmākaṃ pretatvaṃ karmabhiḥ svakaiḥ / prāptāḥ sma sahasā jātaduḥ khodvegasamākulam
We have no mother, no father; by our own deeds we have suddenly attained the state of pretas, which is crowded with the sorrow and agitation that has arisen (from them).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.37
दर्शनेन च ते ब्रह्मन्मुदिताप्यायिता वयम् । मुहूर्तन्तिष्ठ वक्ष्यामि वृत्तान्तं सर्वमादितः
darśanena ca te brahmanmuditāpyāyitā vayam / muhūrtantiṣṭha vakṣyāmi vṛttāntaṃ sarvamāditaḥ
And by the sight of you, O brahmin, we are gladdened and refreshed. Stay a moment; I shall tell the whole tale from the beginning.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.38
अहं पर्युषितो नाम एष सूचीमुखस्तथा । शीघ्रगो रोघ (ह) कश्चैव पञ्चमो लेखकः स्मतृतः
ahaṃ paryuṣito nāma eṣa sūcīmukhastathā / śīghrago rogha (ha) kaścaiva pañcamo lekhakaḥ smatṛtaḥ
I am named Paryuṣita ("Stale"), and this one is Sūcīmukha ("Needle-mouth"); and Śīghraga ("Fast-goer") and Rodhaka ("Obstructor"), and the fifth is known as Lekhaka ("Scratcher").
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.39
एवं नाम्ना च सर्वे वै संप्राप्ताः प्रेततां वयम् । ब्राह्मण उवाच । प्रेतानां कर्मजातानां कथं वै नामसम्भवः । किञ्चित्कारणमुदिश्य येन ब्रूयाः स्वनामकान्
evaṃ nāmnā ca sarve vai saṃprāptāḥ pretatāṃ vayam / brāhmaṇa uvāca / pretānāṃ karmajātānāṃ kathaṃ vai nāmasambhavaḥ / kiñcitkāraṇamudiśya yena brūyāḥ svanāmakān
Thus by name are we all who have come to the state of pretas. The brahmin said: For pretas, who are born of (their) deeds, how does a name come about? Pointing out some reason, tell (me) about their own names.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.40
प्रेतराज उवाच । मया स्वादु सदा भुक्तं दत्तं पर्युषितं द्विज
pretarāja uvāca / mayā svādu sadā bhuktaṃ dattaṃ paryuṣitaṃ dvija
The king of the pretas said: By me the tasty (food) was always eaten, and the stale (food) was given away, O twice-born one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.41
शीघ्रं गच्छति विप्रेण याचितः क्षुधितेन वै । एतत्कारणमुद्दिश्य नाम पर्युषितं मम
śīghraṃ gacchati vipreṇa yācitaḥ kṣudhitena vai / etatkāraṇamuddiśya nāma paryuṣitaṃ mama
When asked by a hungry brahmin, he goes off quickly. With reference to this cause, my name is Paryuṣita ("Stale").
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
GaP 2 22.42
शीघ्रं गच्छति विप्रेण याचितः क्षुधितेन वै । एतत्कारणमुद्दिश्य शीघ्रगो ऽयं द्विजोत्तम
śīghraṃ gacchati vipreṇa yācitaḥ kṣudhitena vai / etatkāraṇamuddiśya śīghrago 'yaṃ dvijottama
When asked by a hungry brahmin, he goes off quickly; with reference to this cause, this one is Śīghraga ("Fast-goer"), O best of the twice-born.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.43
सूचिता बहवो ऽनेन विप्रा अन्नाधिकाङ्क्षया । एतत्कारणमुद्दिश्य एष सूचिमुखः स्मृतः
sūcitā bahavo 'nena viprā annādhikāṅkṣayā / etatkāraṇamuddiśya eṣa sūcimukhaḥ smṛtaḥ
Many brahmins were informed against by this one out of greed for more food; with reference to this cause, he is known as Sūcīmukha ("Informer-mouth").
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.44
एकाकी मिष्टमश्राति पोष्यवर्गमृते सदा । ब्राह्मणानामभावेन रोध (ह) कस्तेन चोच्यते
ekākī miṣṭamaśrāti poṣyavargamṛte sadā / brāhmaṇānāmabhāvena rodha (ha) kastena cocyate
He always eats sweet food alone, apart from those he ought to support; and because of the absence of brahmins (at his meals) he is called Rodhaka ("Obstructor").
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.45
पुरायं मौनमास्थाय याचितो विलिखेद्भुवम् । तेन कर्मविपाकेन लेखको नाम चोच्यते
purāyaṃ maunamāsthāya yācito vilikhedbhuvam / tena karmavipākena lekhako nāma cocyate
Formerly this one, when asked (for alms), would keep silent and scratch the ground; by the ripening of that deed he is called Lekhaka ("Scratcher").
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.46
प्रेतत्वं कर्मभावेन प्राप्तं नामानि च द्विज । मेषाननो लेखको ऽयं रोध (ह) कः पर्वताननः
pretatvaṃ karmabhāvena prāptaṃ nāmāni ca dvija / meṣānano lekhako 'yaṃ rodha (ha) kaḥ parvatānanaḥ
The state of being pretas, and these names, were obtained through (our) deeds, O twice-born. This Lekhaka is ram-faced, Rodhaka is mountain-faced,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.47
शीघ्रगः पुशुवक्त्रश्च सूचकः सूचिवक्त्रवान् । दुःखिता नितरां स्वमिन्पश्य रूपविपर्ययम्
śīghragaḥ puśuvaktraśca sūcakaḥ sūcivaktravān / duḥkhitā nitarāṃ svaminpaśya rūpaviparyayam
Śīghraga, and Paśuvaktra ("beast-faced"), Sūcaka, and Sūcivaktravān ("needle-faced") — we are exceedingly wretched, master; behold the reversal of (our) forms.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.48
कृत्वा मायामयं रूपं विचरामो महीतले । सर्वे च विकृताकारा लम्बोष्ठा विकृताननाः
kṛtvā māyāmayaṃ rūpaṃ vicarāmo mahītale / sarve ca vikṛtākārā lamboṣṭhā vikṛtānanāḥ
Having assumed a form made of illusion, we roam about on the surface of the earth — all of us misshapen, with hanging lips and deformed faces.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.49
बृहच्छरीरिणो रौद्रा जाताः स्वेनैव कर्मणा । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं प्रेतत्वे कारणं मया
bṛhaccharīriṇo raudrā jātāḥ svenaiva karmaṇā / etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ pretatve kāraṇaṃ mayā
Having huge bodies, terrible, we have become so by our own deeds alone. All this has been told to you by me — the cause of (our) state as pretas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.50
ज्ञानिनो ऽपि वयं सर्वे जाताः स्म तव दर्शनात् । यत्र ते श्रवणे श्रद्धा तत्पृच्छ कथयामि ते
jñānino 'pi vayaṃ sarve jātāḥ sma tava darśanāt / yatra te śravaṇe śraddhā tatpṛccha kathayāmi te
We too have all become possessed of knowledge from the sight of you. Whatever you have faith to hear, ask that; I will tell you.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.51
ब्राह्मण उवाच । ये जीवा भुवि जीवन्ति सर्वे ऽप्याहारमूलकाः । युष्माकमपिचाहारं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः
brāhmaṇa uvāca / ye jīvā bhuvi jīvanti sarve 'pyāhāramūlakāḥ / yuṣmākamapicāhāraṃ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ
The brahmin said: The creatures that live on earth, all of them have food as their root. I wish to hear truly of your food too.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.52
प्रेता ऊचुः । यदि ते श्रवणे श्रद्धा आहाराणां द्विजोत्तम । अस्माकं तु महीभाग शृणुत्वं सुसमाहितः
pretā ūcuḥ / yadi te śravaṇe śraddhā āhārāṇāṃ dvijottama / asmākaṃ tu mahībhāga śṛṇutvaṃ susamāhitaḥ
The pretas said: If you have faith to hear of (our) foods, O best of the twice-born, then, O fortunate one, listen to ours with full attention.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.53
ब्राह्मण उवाच । कथयन्तु महाप्रेता आहारं च पृथक्पृथक् । इत्युक्तां ब्राह्मणेनेममूचुः प्रेताः पृथकपृथक्
brāhmaṇa uvāca / kathayantu mahāpretā āhāraṃ ca pṛthakpṛthak / ityuktāṃ brāhmaṇenemamūcuḥ pretāḥ pṛthakapṛthak
The brahmin said: Let the great pretas tell of their food, each one separately. Thus addressed by the brahmin, the pretas spoke, each one separately.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.54
प्रेता ऊचुः । शृणु चाहारमस्माकं सर्वसत्त्बविगर्हितम् । यच्छ्रुत्वा गर्हसे ब्रह्मन् भूयोभूयश्च गर्हितम्
pretā ūcuḥ / śṛṇu cāhāramasmākaṃ sarvasattbavigarhitam / yacchrutvā garhase brahman bhūyobhūyaśca garhitam
The pretas said: Hear now our food, reviled by all beings — on hearing which, O brahmin, you will revile it, and revile it again and again.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.55
श्लेष्ममूत्रपुरीषोत्थं शरीराणां मलैः सह । उच्छिष्टैश्चैव चान्यैश्च प्रेतानां भोजनं भवेत्
śleṣmamūtrapurīṣotthaṃ śarīrāṇāṃ malaiḥ saha / ucchiṣṭaiścaiva cānyaiśca pretānāṃ bhojanaṃ bhavet
What arises from phlegm, urine and excrement, together with the impurities of bodies, and what is left over from eating, and other such things — that becomes the food of the pretas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.56
गृहाणि चाप्यशौचानि प्रकीर्णोपस्कराणि च । मलिनानि प्रसूतानि प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्र वै
gṛhāṇi cāpyaśaucāni prakīrṇopaskarāṇi ca / malināni prasūtāni pretā bhuñjanti tatra vai
And houses that are impure, with utensils scattered about, filthy, (where) birth has occurred — there indeed the pretas eat.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.57
नास्ति सत्यं गृहे यत्र न शौचं न च संयमः । पतितैर्दस्युभिः सङ्गः प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्र वै
nāsti satyaṃ gṛhe yatra na śaucaṃ na ca saṃyamaḥ / patitairdasyubhiḥ saṅgaḥ pretā bhuñjanti tatra vai
In whatever house there is no truth, no purity, and no restraint, (where there is) association with outcastes and robbers — there indeed the pretas eat.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.58
बलिमन्त्रविहीनानि होमहीनानि यानि च । स्वाध्याय व्रतहीनानि प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्र वै
balimantravihīnāni homahīnāni yāni ca / svādhyāya vratahīnāni pretā bhuñjanti tatra vai
Those (houses) devoid of offerings and sacred formulas, devoid of oblations, devoid of private recitation and vows — there indeed the pretas eat.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 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 no modesty and no propriety, where the householder is ruled by his wife, where elders are not honoured — there indeed the pretas eat.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.60
यत्र लोभस्तथा क्रोधो निद्रा शोको भयं मदः । आलस्यं कलहो नित्यं प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्र वै
yatra lobhastathā krodho nidrā śoko bhayaṃ madaḥ / ālasyaṃ kalaho nityaṃ pretā bhuñjanti tatra vai
Where there is greed and anger, sleep, sorrow, fear, intoxication, idleness, and constant quarrelling — there indeed the pretas eat.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.61
भर्तृहीना च या नारी परवीर्यं निषेवते । बीजं मूत्रसमायुर्क्त प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्तु वै
bhartṛhīnā ca yā nārī paravīryaṃ niṣevate / bījaṃ mūtrasamāyurkta pretā bhuñjanti tattu vai
And the woman without a husband who resorts to another man's seed — that seed, mixed with urine, the pretas eat.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.62
लज्जा मे जायते तात वदतो भोजनं स्वकम् । यत्स्त्रीरजो योनिगतं प्रेता भुञ्जन्ति तत्तु वै
lajjā me jāyate tāta vadato bhojanaṃ svakam / yatstrīrajo yonigataṃ pretā bhuñjanti tattu vai
Shame arises in me, dear sir, as I speak of my own food: the woman's menstrual blood that is in the womb — that indeed the pretas eat.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.63
निर्विण्णाः प्रेतभावेन पृच्छामि त्वां दृढव्रत । यथा न भविता प्रेतस्तन्मे वद तपोधन । नित्यं मृत्युर्वरं जन्तोः प्रेतत्वं मा भवेत्क्वचित्
nirviṇṇāḥ pretabhāvena pṛcchāmi tvāṃ dṛḍhavrata / yathā na bhavitā pretastanme vada tapodhana / nityaṃ mṛtyurvaraṃ jantoḥ pretatvaṃ mā bhavetkvacit
Disgusted with the state of a preta, I ask you, O firm in vows: tell me, O rich in austerity, how one will not become a preta. Death is always better for a creature; let there never be the state of a preta.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.64
ब्राह्मण उवाच । उपवासपरो नित्यं कृच्छ्रचान्द्रायणे रतः । व्रतैश्च विविधैः पूतो न प्रेतो जायते नरः
brāhmaṇa uvāca / upavāsaparo nityaṃ kṛcchracāndrāyaṇe rataḥ / vrataiśca vividhaiḥ pūto na preto jāyate naraḥ
The brahmin said: One constantly devoted to fasting, engaged in the kṛcchra and cāndrāyaṇa penances, purified by various vows — such a man is not born a preta.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.65
एकादश्यां व्रतं कुर्वञ्जागरेण समन्वितम् । अपरैः सुकृतैः पूतो न प्रेतो न प्रेतो जायते नरः
ekādaśyāṃ vrataṃ kurvañjāgareṇa samanvitam / aparaiḥ sukṛtaiḥ pūto na preto na preto jāyate naraḥ
Performing the vow on the eleventh day together with a night vigil, purified by other good deeds, a man is not born a preta.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.66
इष्ट्वा वै वाश्वमेधादीन्दद्याद्दानानि यो नरः । आरामोद्यानवाप्यादेः प्रपायाश्चैव कारकः
iṣṭvā vai vāśvamedhādīndadyāddānāni yo naraḥ / ārāmodyānavāpyādeḥ prapāyāścaiva kārakaḥ
The man who, having sacrificed with the horse-sacrifice and the rest, gives gifts, and who makes gardens, parks, tanks and the like, and water-sheds —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.67
कुमारीं ब्राह्मणानां तु विवाहयति शक्तितः । विद्यादो ऽभयदश्चैव न प्रेतो जायते नरः
kumārīṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ tu vivāhayati śaktitaḥ / vidyādo 'bhayadaścaiva na preto jāyate naraḥ
And (the man) who, according to his ability, has a maiden married to brahmins, who gives learning and who gives safety — such a man is not born as a ghost.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 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
But he who dies with śūdra's food eaten and still in his belly, and he who dies by an evil death — such a man is born as a ghost.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.69
अयाज्ययाजकश्चैव याज्यानां च विवर्जकः । कारुभिश्च रतो नित्यं स प्रेतो जायते नरः
ayājyayājakaścaiva yājyānāṃ ca vivarjakaḥ / kārubhiśca rato nityaṃ sa preto jāyate naraḥ
And he who officiates as priest for those unfit to be sacrificed for, and who shuns those for whom he ought to sacrifice, and is always attached to artisans — such a man is born as a ghost.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.70
कृत्वा मद्यपसम्पर्कं मद्यपस्त्रीनिषेवणम् । अज्ञानाद्भक्षयन्मांसं स प्रेतो जायते नरः
kṛtvā madyapasamparkaṃ madyapastrīniṣevaṇam / ajñānādbhakṣayanmāṃsaṃ sa preto jāyate naraḥ
Having had contact with a drinker of liquor, having resorted to the women of drinkers, eating meat out of ignorance — such a man is born as a ghost.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.71
देवद्रव्यं च ब्रह्मस्वं गुरुद्रव्यं तथैव च । कन्यां ददाति शुल्केन स प्रेतो जायते नरः
devadravyaṃ ca brahmasvaṃ gurudravyaṃ tathaiva ca / kanyāṃ dadāti śulkena sa preto jāyate naraḥ
(He who takes) property of the gods, wealth of brahmins, and likewise the property of his teacher, and (he who) gives a girl (in marriage) for a price — such a man is born as a ghost.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.72
मातरं भगिनीं भार्यां स्नुषां दुहितरं तथाः । अदृष्टदोषास्त्यजति स प्रेतो जादृ
mātaraṃ bhaginīṃ bhāryāṃ snuṣāṃ duhitaraṃ tathāḥ / adṛṣṭadoṣāstyajati sa preto jādṛ
He who abandons mother, sister, wife, daughter-in-law or daughter when no fault has been seen (in them) — such a man is born (as a ghost).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.73
न्यासापहर्ता मित्रध्रुक्परदाररतः सदा । विश्वासघाती कूटश्च स प्रेदृ
nyāsāpahartā mitradhrukparadārarataḥ sadā / viśvāsaghātī kūṭaśca sa predṛ
One who steals a deposit, one who betrays a friend, one always given to others' wives, a breaker of trust, and a cheat — such a one (is born as a ghost).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.74
भ्रातृध्रुग्ब्रह्महा गोघ्नः सुरापो गुरुतल्पगः । कुलमार्गं परित्यज्य ह्यनृतोक्तौ सदा रतः । हर्ता हेम्नश्च भूमेश्च स प्रेदृ
bhrātṛdhrugbrahmahā goghnaḥ surāpo gurutalpagaḥ / kulamārgaṃ parityajya hyanṛtoktau sadā rataḥ / hartā hemnaśca bhūmeśca sa predṛ
One who injures his brother, a killer of a brahmin, a killer of cows, a drinker of liquor, one who violates his teacher's bed, one who, abandoning the way of his family, is always given to speaking falsehood, and a stealer of gold and of land — such a one (is born as a ghost).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.75
भीष्म उवाच । एवं ब्रुवति वै विप्रे आकाशे दुन्दुभिस्वनः । अपतत्पुष्पवर्षं च देवर्मुक्तं द्विजोपरि
bhīṣma uvāca / evaṃ bruvati vai vipre ākāśe dundubhisvanaḥ / apatatpuṣpavarṣaṃ ca devarmuktaṃ dvijopari
Bhīṣma said: As the brahmin was speaking thus, there was the sound of drums in the sky, and a rain of flowers released by the gods fell upon the twice-born one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.76
पञ्च देवविमानानि प्रेतानामागतानि वै । स्वर्गं गता विमानैस्ते दिव्यैः संपृच्छ्य तं मुनिम्
pañca devavimānāni pretānāmāgatāni vai / svargaṃ gatā vimānaiste divyaiḥ saṃpṛcchya taṃ munim
Five divine celestial cars came for the ghosts; having taken leave of that sage, they went to heaven by those divine cars.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.77
ज्ञानं विप्रस्य सम्भाषात्पुण्यसंकीर्तनेन च । प्रेताः पापविनिर्मुक्ताः परं पदमवाप्नुयुः
jñānaṃ viprasya sambhāṣātpuṇyasaṃkīrtanena ca / pretāḥ pāpavinirmuktāḥ paraṃ padamavāpnuyuḥ
By the knowledge (gained) from conversation with the brahmin and by the recitation of what is meritorious, the ghosts, freed from their sins, may attain the highest state.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
GaP 2 22.78
सूत उवाच । इदमाख्यानकं श्रुत्वा कम्पितो ऽश्वत्थपत्रवत् । मानुषाणां हितार्थाय गरुडः पृष्टवान्पुनः
sūta uvāca / idamākhyānakaṃ śrutvā kampito 'śvatthapatravat / mānuṣāṇāṃ hitārthāya garuḍaḥ pṛṣṭavānpunaḥ
Sūta said: Having heard this narrative, trembling like a leaf of the aśvattha tree, Garuḍa asked again, for the benefit of human beings.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition