Shloka 82
Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi
Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu
तस्य स्नानं व्यर्थमाहुश्च यस्मात्तस्मात्त्याज्यं न द्वयोः कार्यमेव / अभिप्रायं ह्येतमेवं खगेन्द्र जानीहि त्वं प्रहस्यैव नित्यम्
tasya snānaṃ vyarthamāhuśca yasmāttasmāttyājyaṃ na dvayoḥ kāryameva / abhiprāyaṃ hyetamevaṃ khagendra jānīhi tvaṃ prahasyaiva nityam
Weil man sagt, sein Bad sei vergeblich, soll es daher aufgegeben werden — es ist nicht nötig, beides zu tun. Verstehe diese Absicht so, o König der Vögel; wisse es stets, mit einem sanften Lächeln.
Lord Vishnu
Concept: External purification (snāna) becomes futile when done with wrong intention/understanding; duplicative or misguided acts should be abandoned.
Vedantic Theme: Karma without right knowledge and right orientation (sattvic buddhi) does not yield the intended fruit; inner purity precedes outer rite.
Application: Audit rituals/habits: keep what supports inner transformation; drop performative or contradictory practices; align action with understanding.
Primary Rasa: hasya
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.28.83 (example of misguided snāna and rites); Garuda Purana 3.28.85 (twofold buddhi as the real issue)
FAQs
This verse advises that when a rite (here, snāna) is declared fruitless in a given context, one should not perform duplicative acts; dharma is upheld by doing what is actually effective and intended.
By stressing correct intent and effective rites, the verse implies that the departed’s journey is supported by properly prescribed actions—not by mechanically repeating rituals that are said to yield no result.
Follow authentic guidance for rites with clarity of purpose: avoid superstition and unnecessary repetition, and focus on meaningful, prescribed practices carried out with understanding.