Shloka 47
Devotpatti-nirūpaṇa — Hari’s Pūrṇatva
Completeness) and the Ritual Doctrine of Sāra (Essence
आस्वादनं कारयति स्वयं नास्वादते हरिः / असारभोजनं चैव जीवानां कर्मजं फलम्
āsvādanaṃ kārayati svayaṃ nāsvādate hariḥ / asārabhojanaṃ caiva jīvānāṃ karmajaṃ phalam
هاري يجعل الكائنات تذوق طعم ثمار الأعمال، لكنه هو نفسه لا يذوق ذلك الطعم. وكذلك فإن أكل طعامٍ بلا مذاق ولا جوهر هو ثمرةٌ كَرْمية لا بدّ للكائنات أن تمرّ بها.
Lord Vishnu (Hari) speaking to Garuda (Vinata-putra)
Concept: Īśvara orchestrates the fruition of karma (bhoga) without being an enjoyer; jīva alone undergoes taste/experience.
Vedantic Theme: Distinction between sākṣin/Īśvara and bhoktṛ-jīva; non-attachment of the Supreme; karma as experiential necessity for the bound self.
Application: Cultivate vairāgya: recognize pleasures/pains as karma-taste; reduce craving/aversion; choose actions that yield sattvic, ‘sāra’ outcomes.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana karma-phala explanations where the jīva ‘eats’ results while the Lord remains untouched; Sections describing bhoga in subtle states as karmically compelled
FAQs
This verse states that beings must experience the results of their own karma, while Hari remains untouched—highlighting personal responsibility for post-death outcomes described in the Preta Kanda.
It frames after-death experiences as the soul’s compelled “tasting” of karma-phala; the conditions encountered (including deprivation like tasteless food) are presented as consequences shaped by prior deeds.
Act ethically with awareness that consequences must be personally endured; cultivate devotion and detachment, understanding that the Divine is the witness who administers order but does not ‘consume’ your actions for you.