After traveling through all the realms of the universe, why did Garuda feel disturbed and saddened upon seeing the beings of the mortal world? What questions did Garuda ask Lord Krishna for the welfare of humanity?

Once Garuda ji had a desire to see all the worlds of this universe. Therefore, taking the name of Shri Hari, he visited the underworld, the earth and the heaven. Feeling extremely sad and disturbed by the sorrows of the earth, he returned back to Vaikuntha Loka. When Garuda ji came to Vaikuntha Lok, tears were flowing from his eyes. After coming to Vaikuntha Dham, Garuda ji bowed to Lord Shri Vishnu. Seeing Garuda ji paying obeisance, Shri Hari asked which land you have visited in so many days. On being asked by Shri Hari, Garuda ji said - By your grace I have visited all the three worlds. The Earth is filled with more creatures than all the other worlds. Except Yamlok, everything from Prithvi Loka to Satyalok has been seen by me. Among all the species, human race is the only one who gets enjoyment and salvation in the mortal world. Compared to all the worlds, only humans are full of troubles and sorrows. I feel very sad seeing the creatures of the mortal world and many questions arise which I want to ask you. Shri Krishna said, Garuda, although you are very knowledgeable, but you are asking me this question for the welfare of everyone so that everyone in the human world can attain welfare by knowing this. Hearing this, Garud ji asked some special questions to Shri Hari which are as follows: - Garud ji said to Shri Hari - Oh Lord! Please tell me-

1. For what reason is the dead soul put on earth?

2. Why is Panchratna put in the mouth of a dead human?

3. Why are both his feet turned towards the south?

4. Why do people spread Kush under the dead body? What is the meaning of laying Kush?

5. Why do sons and grandchildren stand in front of a person at the time of his death?

6. Why are various things donated and cows donated at the time of death?

7. Why do relatives, friends, enemies etc. all come together and ask for forgiveness?

8. Inspired by whom do people donate sesame, iron, gold, cotton, salt, seven types of grains, land and cow at the time of death?

9. How does a creature die and where does it go after death?

10. How does he attain the enjoyment body at that time?

11. Why do the sons and grandsons of the person giving the fire carry the dead person on their shoulders?

12. Why is ghee applied on a dead body?

13. Where did the tradition of offering an oblation come from at that time?

14. Why is the dead body touched to the ground?

15. Why do women cry while mourning for a dead person?

16. What is the reason for reciting 'Yamsukta' in the north direction of the dead body?

17. Why is water given to a dead person wearing only a cloth?

18. Why was there a tradition at that time to see the image of the Sun by touching the barley plant, mustard, durva and neem leaves installed on the stone?

19. Why do both men and women wear the same clothes on top and bottom at that time?

20. After cremating the dead body, why should the person who has performed the last rites not sit and eat food with his family members?

21. Why do the sons and grandsons of a deceased person donate their dead bodies during those ten days?

22. Why is milk kept in a solid earthen vessel on a platform?

23. Why are lamps lit every day for a year on three sticks (Tigodiya) tied with a rope at night in a secluded place at the village crossroads?

24. Why are the last rites and water offering ceremony of a dead person performed along with other people?

25. After death, that creature goes into a ghost body, nine Pind (ball of gram flour assuming it as body) should be given for it, what is the purpose of this?

26. According to which tradition Pind Daan should be offered to the ancestors and how are they called to accept that, Pind?

27. If all these rituals are completed immediately after death, then why is Pind Daan performed again later?

28. What is the need to perform Pind Daan or any other work again after the previous Pind Daan?

29. Why is there the purpose of collecting bones and breaking the pot after cremation?

30. Why is there a tradition of bathing Saagnik Dwij (a householder who always keeps the fire of Agnihotra in the house) on the second and fourth days?

31. Why is bath taken with all the family members for purification on the tenth day?

32. Why are oil and turmeric paste used on the tenth day?

33. It is appropriate to use that oil and paste on the banks of a river or pond (can be a hand pump or well or near water body), what is the reason for this?

34. Why should Pind Daan be performed on the tenth day?

35. What is the purpose of performing Pind Daan along with performing Vrishontsarga (religious act of branding a heifer with a bull and releasing it) in the name of the deceased person on the day of Ekadshah?

36. Why are items like utensils, slippers and shoes, umbrella, clothes and rings etc. donated?

37. Why is Paduka donated on the thirteenth day?

38. Why are sixteen Shraddhas performed throughout the year and why are three hundred and sixty Sannondak pitchers given?

39. Why should a vessel full of food be donated every day to appease the ghost?

40. From which hole in the body of a living being do earth, water, mind, light, air, and sky come out?

41. How do the five senses of action, five senses of knowledge and five airs present in the body go out? Where do the five hidden thieves of greed, attachment, craving, lust, and ego come from?

42. Whatever virtuous or sinful deeds a living being does in his life, whatever charity he makes, good or bad deeds, i.e. acquired virtues or sins, how do they all go away with him when the body is destroyed?

43. Why does ‘Sapindikaran’ (process of taking ghost body to forefathers) take place for a dead creature even after one year has passed?

44. Please tell with whom and how the ghost body should be connected in that ghost karma (sapindan).

45. What should happen to those who die untimely due to unconsciousness or collapse?

46. What should be the action for those people who were burnt or not burnt?

47. What state do those who are sinful, evil-doing or mentally ill attain after death?

48. What should be done for the welfare of a person at the time of his death? What is the method of donation?

49. Which method is required between death and reaching the crematorium?

50. What is the process of burning the dead body in a pyre?

51. How does that living being get another body immediately or late?

52. What work should a person going to Yamalok do throughout the year?

53. What is the atonement for the death of a foolish or wicked person? How can he escape from suffering the sins committed by him?

54. If death occurs during Panchak, what should be done for Panchakashanti ?

55. What happens to a person who commits suicide, steals gold, betrays a friend, etc.?

56. If a Shudra drinks milk of Kapila cow or chants Pranav Mahamantra or wears Brahmasutra i.e. sacred thread, then what happens to him after death?

57. When a Shudra takes a Brahmin as his wife, what is the condition of that sinner?

Garud ji tells Shri Hari that out of curiosity, I have been traveling all over the world and observing people, I have seen the people living there that they are all immersed in sorrow. Seeing their suffering fills my heart with pain. Fear of enmity of demons in heaven. In the earthly world, due to people not being able to achieve their desired things, the living beings there are sad and suffer from death, disease etc. Due to my fear, the creatures living in the underworld remain sad. Apart from this Vaikunthapuri of yours, such fearlessness is not seen in any other world. Due to the influence of death, the condition of this world is as unreal as the illusion seen in a dream. In this too, people living in Bharat are facing a lot of suffering. I have seen there that the people of that country are very much engrossed in attachment, hatred and attachment etc. towards their favorite things. In that country, some people are suffering from mutilation, some use bad language, some are mute and deaf, some are lepers, some have excessive hair, some are surrounded by many diseases and some are intoxicated with pride by telling lies. Seeing such mistakes and his death, a curiosity arose in my mind that what is this death? What is the state of being strange in this year of Bharat? I have already heard from the sages that a person who does not perform the ritual, which lasts for a year, with complete rituals, has to face misfortune.

The above-mentioned acts have been taken from Garun Purana. Many rituals have been described in this Purana for the welfare of mankind. All these questions were asked by Garun to Lord Shri Krishna. All the things written in it have been told in Garun Purana for the welfare of mankind, which was possible in earlier times, but today in Kaliyuga, some of these things seem impossible. But we must perform all these deeds as far as possible so that after death the person can get freedom from the ghost life and can get rid of the terrible sorrows in Yamalok.

Writer :- krishna

Garuda ji's question to Shri Krishna ji