Shloka 81
Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi
Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu
अलेह्यलेहस्य च तत्स्वभावः पातुं त्वपेयस्य च तत्स्वभावः / द्वयोः स्वरूपं च विहाय मूढः पुनः पुनः स्वीकरोत्येव नित्यम्
alehyalehasya ca tatsvabhāvaḥ pātuṃ tvapeyasya ca tatsvabhāvaḥ / dvayoḥ svarūpaṃ ca vihāya mūḍhaḥ punaḥ punaḥ svīkarotyeva nityam
Was nicht zu lecken ist, hat von Natur aus nicht geleckt zu werden; und was nicht zu trinken ist, hat von Natur aus nicht getrunken zu werden. Doch der Verblendete, der die Einsicht in das wahre Wesen beider preisgibt, nimmt sie immer wieder, unaufhörlich, erneut an.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Failure of discernment (viveka) makes one repeatedly accept what is intrinsically unfit (apeya/alehya), perpetuating bondage.
Vedantic Theme: Avidyā-driven adhyāsa (misapprehension) and habitual saṃskāra causing repeated grasping; need for viveka-vairāgya.
Application: Identify personal ‘apeya/alehya’ (harmful inputs, addictions, unethical gains) and set firm boundaries; practice reflective inquiry before repeating a habit.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.28.84-85 (metaphor clarified as two forms of buddhi); Garuda Purana 3.28.82-83 (futility of misguided ritual without right understanding)
FAQs
This verse stresses that ignoring the true nature of what is prohibited leads to repeated wrong choices; discernment prevents habitual, karma-binding actions.
By highlighting repeated acceptance of the improper, it points to how attachment and delusion generate recurring karma, shaping post-death experiences described in the Preta Kanda.
Cultivate restraint and clear judgment about harmful indulgences; avoid knowingly unwholesome actions to reduce negative karmic patterns.