Shloka 16
नरः प्राप्येतरज्जन्म लब्ध्वा चेन्द्रियसौष्ठवम् / न वेत्त्यात्महितं यस्तु स भवेद्ब्रह्मघातकः
naraḥ prāpyetarajjanma labdhvā cendriyasauṣṭhavam / na vettyātmahitaṃ yastu sa bhavedbrahmaghātakaḥ
مَن نالَ ميلادَ الإنسان واكتملتْ له سلامةُ الحواس، ثم لم يعرف ما هو النافعُ حقًّا لذاته (آتمن)، فهو مُدانٌ كمن قتلَ براهمنًا (برهمن).
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Failure to discern ātma-hita despite human birth and sound senses is a grave spiritual crime; viveka is mandatory.
Vedantic Theme: Avidyā as the root of bondage; necessity of ātma-jñāna/ātma-hita-buddhi; pramāda as spiritual death.
Application: Cultivate discrimination (viveka): regular self-inquiry, study of śāstra, guidance from a teacher, and ethical restraint to keep senses fit for higher purpose.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated stress on ātma-hita, śreyas, and consequences of pramāda; Garuda Purana: comparisons of spiritual negligence to major sins (mahāpātaka-style rhetoric)
FAQs
This verse frames atma-hita as the core purpose of human life—using a rare human birth and capable senses to pursue true spiritual benefit, not mere sense-pleasure.
It equates spiritual negligence—failing to seek what benefits the Self despite having the means—with one of the gravest sins (brahma-ghātaka), emphasizing severe karmic consequence for wasted human opportunity.
Treat health, time, and mental clarity as spiritual resources: study dharma, practice japa/puja, cultivate restraint, and make choices that support long-term inner welfare rather than short-term indulgence.