Secrets of Garuda Purana
The Garuda Purana is one of several Ashtaadasa Maha-Puranas. It is known as the Garuda Purana because it is in the form of a discourse between Garuda, the Divine King of the Birds, and Lord Vishnu. Garuda later quoted the same to Sage Kashyapa, and it passed down the line. It has approximately 19000 slokas and is classed as Saattvika Purana. It is impossible to date the Garuda Purana because it has undergone multiple changes, the most recent of which occurred during Sri Krishnaavathara, when Sage Vedavyaasa edited all Puranas.
The Garuda Purana describes Lord Vishnu's incarnations, the geographical description and genesis of the Universe, Creation, Procreation, Gods' Genealogy, and so on, but most importantly, it describes the journey of the soul after death. The epic takes the shape of an amazing conversation between Garuda and Lord Vishnu about the significance of human life. The Garuda Purana also discusses Garuda's origin and dissemination. It describes many forms of austerity, worship practices, sin atonement, and divine and sacred Manthras.
The Garuda Purana is unique in that it is the only sacred literature that discusses life after death, the soul's journey, death and its aftermath, rebirth, and reincarnation. Even modern science has been unable to unravel the riddle of death and the afterlife; yet, the Garuda Purana has done so for centuries. Among the 16 Samskaaras specified in Hindu Dharma, the last one, Anthyeshti Samskara, is concerned with death rites and associated ceremonies. This samskara is uniquely and comprehensively covered in the Garuda Purana.
The Garuda Purana also includes descriptions of the Nether Worlds, Yama-Loka, and numerous types of Naraka Lokas (Hell). It describes the Soul's experiences after leaving the body, as well as the endless cycle of births that the Soul goes through. It discusses the Law of Karma, the Fruits of Karma (action), Moksha (salvation), and numerous forms of punishments for crimes committed during a lifetime. It provides an in-depth description of funeral rites, rituals, and ceremonies beginning with death and ending with the completion of one year.
The recitation of the Garuda Purana is traditionally observed in traditional Hindu households following a death in the family until the 13th-day ceremony is finished. During that period, reading or listening to Sri Garuda Purana confers great benefits (punya). Within ten days, or even after a person has passed away, those who recount and those who listen to this holy Purana will be freed from sins and guaranteed fulfillment both here on Earth and in the hereafter.
When someone passes away in the family, one should listen to the Garuda Purana. This will help them achieve Mukthi and ensure blessings for coming generations. One will be blessed with serenity and wealth and be freed from sadness and suffering. It is thought that a Brahmin who listens to the Garuda Purana will receive Vidya, a Kshatriya land, and a Vysya wealth. During Pitra Paksha, reading or listening to the Garuda Purana is a meritorious and sacred practice that pleases the person who died. The Garuda Purana contains nineteen thousand shlokas separated into two parts: the purva khanda (first part) and the uttara khanda.
Mentioned below are different punishments mentioned in the Garuda Purana for souls of the people who have sinned.
Tamisram (heavy flogging)
Yama's Servants tie those who steal others' wealth with ropes and cast them into the Naraka known as Tamisram. There, they are thrashed until they bleed and collapse. When they regain consciousness, the beating is resumed. This is done till the time they were given is up.
Andhatamtrsam (flogging)
This Hell is destined for the husband or wife who don’t treat their partners well and only do so when it benefits or pleases them. Those who leave their wives and husbands for unknown reasons are also brought here. The punishment is nearly identical to Tamisram, but the agonizing pain of being tied fast causes the victims to collapse.
Rauravam (snake torture)
For sinners who take and use another man's resources or property, this is hell where he is brought. Those whom these people have deceived take on the form of ‘Ruru’, a terrifying serpent, as they are cast into this torment. They will endure excruciating torture from the serpents till their time is up.
Mahararuravam (death by snake)
Ruru serpents are present here as well, but they are more vicious. The horrible serpents coiling around those who refuse to give the rightful heirs their inheritance and who own and enjoy other people's property will never stop biting and squeezing them. They will also be sent here if they steal the wife or lover of another man.
Kumbhipakam (cooked by oil)
This is hell for individuals who enjoy killing animals. Here, oil is boiled in massive containers, and sinners are immersed in them.
Kalasutram (hot as hell)
This hell is incredibly hot. Those who do not respect their elders, even when they have performed their duty, are sent here. They are ordered to run around in this excruciating heat and occasionally collapse exhausted.
Asitapatram (sharp flogging)
This is the place where sinners go from their own responsibility. Yama's Servants beat them with whips fashioned of asipatra, which are leaves with sharp edges that resemble swords. They will stumble over the thorns and stones and fall on their faces if they rush around while being whipped. When they come to, the same procedure is carried out again until their time in this Naraka is up. After that, they are stabbed with knives until they pass out.
Sukaramukham (crushed and tormented)
Rulers who fail to address their responsibilities and abuse their subjects through misrule are punished in this hell. They are smashed to a pulp by a thorough beating. When they recover, the process continues until their time limit has been met.
Andhakupam (attack of the animals)
For those who abuse the good people and refuse to assist them when asked, even when they have the means, this is hell. They'll be forced down a well that is home to lions, tigers, eagles, and poisonous snakes and scorpions. Till the time of their punishment, sinners must put up with these monster's relentless attacks.
Taptamurti (burnt alive)
Those who steal or loot gold and gems are thrown into the Naraka's furnaces, which are continuously flaming hot.
Krimibhojanam (food for worms)
This Naraka is thrown onto those who do not honor their guests and who utilize men and women just for their own benefit. Insects, worms, and snakes consume them alive. The sinners are given new bodies, which are likewise consumed in the same way, once their original bodies have been entirely consumed. This keeps happening till the term is over.
Salmali (embracing hot images)
This Naraka is meant for adulterous men and women. There is an iron figure, red-hot from the heat. When the sufferer is being flayed behind by Yama's servants, the offender is compelled to accept it.
Vajrakantakasali - (embracing sharp images)
For sinners who engage in inappropriate animal sex, this Naraka is their retribution. Their bodies are pierced by sharp diamond needles found in the iron pictures they are made to embrace.
Vaitarani (river of filth)
Adulterers and power-hungry rulers are thrown out here. It is the worst possible place of punishment. It is a river full of filthy materials, including hair, nails, meat, bones, and human excrement. Horrible creatures of many kinds also exist. These creatures assault and maul those who are tossed into it from all directions. During the duration of their penalty, the transgressors must consume the contents of this river.
Puyodakam (Well of hell)
This well is full of phlegm, urine, blood, and waste. Men are considered as animals when they engage in sexual relations with women and then betray them without planning to marry them. People, who behave carelessly, like animals, are dumped into this well and allowed to become contaminated by its contents. They must stay here till the end of the time scheduled for them.
Pranarodham (piece by piece)
This Naraka is dedicated to persons who hunt and kill animals for food. Here, Yama's attendants assemble around the criminals, mutilating them and continuously insulting them.
Visasanam (bashing from clubs)
This Naraka is meant to torment the wealthy individuals who hate those in poverty and engage in extravagant expenditures merely to show off their riches and grandeur. They must stay here for the duration of their punishment, where they will endure constant beatings with powerful clubs from Yama's servants.
Lalabhaksam - (river of semen)
This is a lustful man's Naraka. This hell is reserved for the immoral man who compels his wife to swallow his sperm. A sea of semen is Lalabhaksam. Until his day of punishment, the offender lays in it and feeds only on semen.
Sarameyasanam (torment from dogs)
This hell is reserved for those who commit immoral crimes including food poisoning, mass murder, and national destruction. All that is available for eating is dog flesh. In this Naraka, there are thousands of hounds, and when they attack sinners, their teeth tear the flesh from their bodies.
Avici (turned into dust)
This Naraka is for individuals who have sworn falsely and proved unjustly. They are thrown from a considerable height, and when they hit the earth, they are completely crushed into dust. They are given life once more, and the punishment is carried out till the end of their days.
Ayahpanam (drinking of burning substances)
People who drink alcohol and other toxic beverages are sent here. The men will be made to drink hot, liquid molten lava each time they take an alcoholic beverage during their earthly existence, while the women are forced to drink melted iron in liquid form.
Raksobjaksam (revenge attacks)
This hell awaits those who offer human and animal sacrifices and then consume the flesh. There would be all the creatures they had previously slain, and they would band together to attack, bite, and maul the criminals. Their groans and protests would be in vain in this place.
Sulaprotam (trident torture)
This Sulaportam hell is meant for individuals who murder others who have done them no harm and for those who betray others. Here, they are made to endure being impaled on a trident for the duration of their sentence, which includes extreme hunger and thirst in addition to all the other tortures administered to them.
Ksharakardamam (hanged upside down)
This hell is reserved for arrogant people and those who criticize decent people. The sinners are repeatedly tortured by Yama's servants, who also keep them upside down.
Dandasukam (eaten alive)
Here is where sinners who treat other people like animals will end up. This place is full of monsters. These monsters will eat them alive.
Vatarodham (weapon torture)
Those who harm animals that reside in forests, mountaintops, and trees deserve this punishment. Sinners are tormented with fire, poison, and other weapons during their period in this Naraka after being cast into this hell.
Paryavartanakam (torture from birds)
This place is meant for those who abuse and refuse food to the poor. When a sinner comes here, beaks from birds like eagles and crows puncture his eyes. These birds will continue to pierce them until their sentence is completed.
Sucimukham (torture by needles)
Those who are conceited and stingy, refusing to spend money on even the most basic needs (such as better meals or food for friends or family), will end up in this hell. This torture will also be imposed upon those who fail to return the money they have borrowed. Here, needles will be poking and piercing their bodies nonstop.