1. The significance of Puranas
The significance of Puranas
While Vedas are the sacred scripts of Hindu Dharma; Puranas are the backbone of Hindu philosophy which contains essence of Hindu religion, civilization and culture. Sage Sri Vedavyaasa the Divine literary incarnation of Lord Vishnu has played a significant role in the field of Vedic and spiritual literature. He compiled 18 great puranas called Ashtadasa Maha Puranas; a great treasure gifted to the mankind. He compiled these puranas to draw the attention of the reader or its listener towards the ultimate goal of Dharma and the Supreme Lord.
2. What is Garuda Purana?
What is Garuda Purana?
Garuda Purana is one of those Ashtaadasa Maha-Puranas. It is called Garuda Purana because it is in the form of a dialogue between Garuda the Divine King of Birds and Lord Vishnu. Later, Garuda recited the same to Sage Kashyapa that percolated down the line. It contains about 19000 slokas and is classified as Saattvika Purana. It is difficult to date Garuda Purana; as several revisions would have taken place and latest revision must have taken place during Sri Krishnaavathara when; Sage Vedavyaasa edited and revised all Puranas.
3. What is Garuda Purana about?
What is Garuda Purana about?
Garuda Purana deals with the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, geographical description and origin of the Universe; Creation; Procreation; Genealogy of Gods etc but most importantly it narrates the journey of a soul after death. The entire epic is in the form of wonderful conversation between Garuda and Lord Vishnu regarding the meaning of human life. Garuda Purana also talks about the origin and propagation of Garuda. It describes different kinds of austerities, methods of worship, atonement for sin and divine & sacred Manthras.
4. Revealing the mystery of death
Revealing the mystery of death
Uniqueness of Garuda Purana lies in the fact that it is the only sacred text that talks about the life after death, the journey of the soul, death and its aftermath, rebirth or reincarnation. Even the modern science could not break the mystery of death and after; whereas, Garuda Purana has spelled out these realities ages before. Among the 16 Samskaaras prescribed in Hindu Dharma, last one called Anthyeshti samskara is related to funeral rites and other ceremonies. This samskara is exclusively and exhaustively covered in Garuda Purana.
5. Revealing the mystery of death
Revealing the mystery of death
Garuda Purana also covers description about the Nether worlds - Yama-Loka and various kinds of Naraka Lokas (Hell). It explains the experiences of the Soul when it leaves the body and the cycle of countless births the Soul takes. It dwells on the Law of Karma, Fruits of Karma (action); Moksha (Salvation) and various types of punishments for the sins committed during life time. It gives a detailed description of the Funeral rites, its rituals and the ceremonies starting from death till the completion of one year.
6. The mystical power of Garuda Purana
The mystical power of Garuda Purana
As a custom we find in traditional Hindu families, recital of Garuda Purana takes place whenever there is a death in the family till the completion of 13th day ceremony. Great merits (punya) are acquired from reading or listening to Sri Garuda Purana during that time. Those who narrate and those who listen to this sacred Purana within ten days or even after the death of a person will get absolved from sins and is assured of happiness in this world as well as in the next world.
7. The mystical power of Garuda Purana
The mystical power of Garuda Purana
One who listens to Garuda Purana on the occasion of his Parents death, such parents would attain Mukthi and also he will be blessed with good progeny. He or she will get rid of sorrow; suffering and will be blessed with peace and prosperity. It is believed that by listening to Garuda Purana, a Brahmin will be bestowed with Vidya; a Kshatriya with Land and a Vysya with wealth. Listening to or reading of Garuda Purana during Pithr Paksha is sacred and meritorious that pleases our dead.
8. Myths about Garuda Purana
Myths about Garuda Purana
There is an apprehension among people that, the text of Garuda Purana is inauspicious and hence can not be read or the book be kept at home or should be read only on the occasion of death at home. People hesitate to keep this sacred text at their homes or read it because of its fearful subject matter. It is only a misconception due to the contents of Garuda Purana. Reading Garuda Purana will definitely change the mindset of an evil-doer or a sinner.
9. Deadly punishments mentioned in Garuda Purana
Deadly punishments mentioned in Garuda Purana
The Garuda Purana has nineteen thousand shlokas that are divided into two parts, a purva khanda (first part) and an uttara khanda (subsequent part). I will try to impart the various aspects of knowledge provided in this sacred book in my following blogs. But today, I will tell you about the various deadly punishments the death God ‘Yamraj’ has decided for the sins committed by us human beings in our lifetime…
10. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Tamisram (Heavy flogging) - Those who rob others of their wealth are bound with ropes by Yama’s Servants and cast into the Naraka known as Tamisram. There, they are given a thrashing until they bleed and faint. When they recover their senses, the beating is repeated. This is done until their time is up.
11. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Andhatamtrsam (Flogging) - This Hell is reserved for the Husband or the Wife who only treat their spouses well when they are to profit or pleasure to them. Those who forsake their wives and husbands for no apparent reasons are also sent here. The punishment is almost the same as Tamisram, but the excruciating pain, suffered by the victims on being tied fast, makes them fall down senseless.
12. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Rauravam (torment of snakes) - This is the hell for sinners who seize and enjoy another man’s property or resources. When these people are thrown into this hell, those whom they have cheated, assume the the shape of “Ruru”, a dreadful serpent. The serpent(s) will torment them severely until their time is up.
13. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Mahararuravam (death by snakes) - Here there is also Ruru serpents but fiercer. Those who deny the legitimate heirs, their inheritance and possess and enjoy others property will be squeezed and bitten non stop by this terrible serpents coiling around them. Those who steal another man’s wife or lover will also be thrown here.
14. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Kumbhipakam (cooked by oil) - This is the hell for those who kill animals for pleasure. Here oil is kept boiled in huge vessels and sinners are plunged in these vessels. Kalasutram (Hot as hell) - This hell is terribly hot. Those who don’t respect their elders esp. when their elders have done their duties are sent here. Here they are made to run around in this unbearable heat and drop down exhausted from time to time.
15. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Asitapatram (sharp flogging) - This is the hell in which sinners abandon one’s own duty. They are flogged by Yama’s Servants with whips made of asipatra (sharp-edged sword-shaped leaves). If they run about under the flogging, they will trip over the stones and thorns, to fall on their faces. Then they are stabbed with knives until they drop unconscious, when they recover, the same process is repeated until their time is up in this Naraka.
16. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Sukaramukham (Crushed and tormented) - Rulers who neglect their duties and oppress their subjects by misrule, are punished in this hell. They are crushed to a pulp by heavy beating. When they recover, it is repeated until their time is up.
17. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Andhakupam (Attack of the animals) - This is hell for those who oppress the good people and not helping them if requested despite having the resources. They will be pushed into a well, where beasts like Lions, tigers, eagles and venomous creatures like snakes and scorpions. The sinners have to endure the constant attacks of these creatures until the expiry of the period of their punishment.
18. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Krimibhojanam (Food for worms)- Those who do not honour their Guests and make use of men or women only for their own gain, are thrown into this Naraka. Worms, insects and serpents eat them alive. Once their bodies are completely eaten up, the sinners are provided with new bodies, which are also eaten up in the above manner. This continues, till the end of their term of punishment.
19. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Salmali (Embracing hot images) - This Naraka is intended for men and women who have committed adultery. A figure made of iron, heated red-hot is placed there. The sinner is forced to embrace it, while Yama’s servants flog the victim behind. Vajrakantakasali (Embracing sharp images) - This Naraka is the punishment for Sinners who have unnatural intercourse with animals. Here, they are made to embrace iron images full of sharp diamond needles that pierce through their bodies.
20. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Vaitarani (River of Filth) - Rulers who abuse their power and adulterers are thrown here. It is the most terrible place of punishment. It is a river which is filled with human excreta, blood, hair, bones, nails, flesh and all kinds of dirty substances. There are various kinds of terrible beasts as well. Those who are cast into it are attacked and mauled by these creatures from all sides. The sinners have to spend the term of their punishment, feeding upon the contents of this river.
21. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Puyodakam (Well of hell) - This is a well filled with excreta, urine, blood, phlegm. Men who have intercourse and cheat women with no intention of marrying them are considered like animals. Those who wander about irresponsibly like animals are thrown in this well to get polluted by its contents. They are to remain here till their time is up.
22. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Pranarodham (Piece by Piece)- This Naraka is for those who keep dogs and other animals and constantly hunt and kill animals for food. Here the servants of Yama, gather around the sinners and cut them limb to limb while subjecting them to constant insult. Taptamurti (Burnt Alive) - Those who plunder or steal Gold and jewels are cast into the furnaces of this Naraka which always remains hot in blazing fire.
23. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Visasanam (Bashing from Clubs) - This Naraka is for the torture of those rich people who look down at the poor and spend excessively just to display their wealth and splendour. They have to remain here at the whole term of their punishment where they will be bashed non stop from heavy clubs from Yama’s Servants.
24. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Sarameyasanam (Torment from dogs) - Those guilty of unsocial acts like poisoning food, mass slaughter, ruining the country are cast into this hell. There is nothing but the flesh of dogs for food. There are thousands of dogs in this Naraka and they attack the sinners and tear their flesh from their bodies with their teeth.
25. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Avici (turned into dust) - This Naraka is for those who are guilty for false witness and false swearing. There are hurled from a great height and they are utterly smashed into dust when they reached the ground. They are again restored to life and the punishment is repeated till the end of their time.
26. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Raksobjaksam (Revenge attacks) - Those who do animal and human sacrifices and eat the flesh after the sacrifice will be thrown in this hell. All the living beings they killed before would be there and they will join together to attacking, biting, and mauling the sinners. Their cries and complaints would be no avail here.
27. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Ayahpanam (Drinking of burning substances) - Those who consume alcohol and other intoxicating drinks are sent here. The women are forced to drink melted iron in liquid form, whereas the men will be forced to drink hot liquid molten lava for every time they consume a alcoholic drink in their earthly lives.
28. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Sulaprotam (Trident Torture) - People who take the lives of others who have done no harm to them and those who deceives others by treachery are sent to this “Sulaportam” hell. Here they are impaled on a trident and they are forced to spend their whole term of their punishment in that position, suffering intense hunger and thirst, as well as enduring all the tortures inflicted on them.
29. The torments of Yama
The torments of Yama
Dandasukam (eaten alive) - Sinners who persecute others like animals will be sent here. There are many beasts here. They will be eaten alive by these beasts. Vatarodham (weapon torture) - This hell is for those who persecute animals which live in forests, mountain peaks and trees. After throwing them in this hell, sinners are tortured with fire, poison and various weapons during their time here in this Naraka.
30. To conclude
To conclude
All the torements mentioned in the Purana may seem really scary, but think about it - maybe that is what they are supposed to do - Scare the human beings before they do anything sinful. Garud Purana is a great and mystical book that contains information that can baffle us and enlighten us at the same time
Sri Eswaran
