Shloka 20
Sat-saṅga, Dharma-Nīti, Karma-Phala, Śauca, and Vairāgya
Overcoming Grief
न चान्तरिक्षे न समुद्रमध्ये न पर्वतानां विवरप्रवेशे / न मातृमूर्ध्नि प्रधृतस्तथाङ्के त्यक्तुं क्षमः कर्म कृतं नरो हि
na cāntarikṣe na samudramadhye na parvatānāṃ vivarapraveśe / na mātṛmūrdhni pradhṛtastathāṅke tyaktuṃ kṣamaḥ karma kṛtaṃ naro hi
Weder im Himmel, noch mitten im Ozean, noch beim Eintritt in die Spalten der Berge, noch selbst, wenn man auf dem Haupt der Mutter getragen oder in ihrem Schoß gehalten wird — der Mensch vermag das von ihm getane Karma nicht abzulegen und ihm nicht zu entkommen.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: No place—cosmic, remote, hidden, or intimate—allows one to abandon the karma one has done.
Vedantic Theme: Karma as an inescapable causal imprint (saṃskāra) accompanying the jīva; only transformation of the inner cause (avidyā/vasanā) ends bondage, not physical flight.
Application: Stop seeking external loopholes; practice ethical restraint, confession and repair, and sustained inner discipline; replace avoidance with accountability.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cosmic/terrestrial/refuge imagery
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated motif that karma follows like a shadow (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that no physical refuge can nullify one’s past actions; therefore the Purana urges dharmic conduct, repentance, and proper rites so the soul’s post-death journey is not burdened by harmful karma.
By declaring karma unavoidable anywhere, it frames the post-death journey as governed by one’s deeds—what the soul experiences in Yama’s domain is not arbitrary but the maturation of karma.
Stop relying on “escape routes” (status, secrecy, or denial) and instead reduce harmful actions, practice truthfulness and compassion, and adopt corrective disciplines (dāna, japa, service, and sincere atonement) to reshape future outcomes.