Shloka 6
Jīva-yonis (84 Lakhs), Rarity of Human Birth, Sense-Restraint, Craving, and Śraddhā-based Dharma
रजकश्चर्मकारश्च नटो बुरुड एव च / कैवर्तमेदभिल्लाश्च सप्तैते ह्यन्त्यजाः स्मृताः
rajakaścarmakāraśca naṭo buruḍa eva ca / kaivartamedabhillāśca saptaite hyantyajāḥ smṛtāḥ
Der Wäscher, der Lederarbeiter, der Schauspieler und der Buruḍa; ebenso der Kaivarta, der Meda und der Bhilla — diese sieben werden der Überlieferung nach als „antyajas“ (zu den niedrigsten Gruppen gezählt) erinnert.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Traditional enumeration of groups labeled ‘antyaja’ within a social taxonomy.
Vedantic Theme: Vyavahāra vs paramārtha tension: social classifications operate in worldly order, while ultimate Self is beyond jāti.
Application: Read as historical sociology: avoid using the list to justify harm; instead, emphasize dignity, non-violence, and equal spiritual capacity while acknowledging textual context.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana varṇa-jāti discussions in the same chapter sequence
FAQs
In this verse, 'antyaja' is used as a traditional classification label; the text records which groups are remembered under that category within a dharma-oriented discussion.
This specific verse does not directly describe the soul’s journey; it provides social-category terminology that can frame broader discussions on dharma, conduct, and ritual contexts elsewhere in the Preta Kanda.
Use it as a historical-textual reference for understanding how the Purana records social classifications, while focusing one’s practice on ethical conduct (dharma) and compassionate behavior.