Shloka 30
Preta-Mokṣa Upāya: Svapna-Lakṣaṇa, Pitṛ-Doṣa, and Prescribed Rites
Kṛṣṇa-bali & Nārāyaṇa-bali
शरीरमेव जन्तूनां स्वर्गमोक्षैकसाधनम् / देहो दत्तो हि येनैवं को ऽन्यः पूज्यतमस्ततः
śarīrameva jantūnāṃ svargamokṣaikasādhanam / deho datto hi yenaivaṃ ko 'nyaḥ pūjyatamastataḥ
Für die Lebewesen ist allein der Körper das einzige Mittel, Himmel und Befreiung (mokṣa) zu erlangen. Da durch den Geber dieses Leibes ein solches Erlangen möglich wird, wer wäre würdiger der Verehrung als eben jener?
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: The body is the sole instrument for attaining svarga and mokṣa; therefore the giver of the body (primarily parents, especially father in context) is supremely worthy of worship.
Vedantic Theme: Deha as sādhanā-kṣetra; human birth as a rare opportunity; gratitude to nimitta causes while aiming at puruṣārthas, including mokṣa.
Application: Protect and use the body ethically for sādhanā (dharma, japa, study, service); honor parents as enablers of spiritual pursuit.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana teachings on human birth as rare and on duties enabling good gati; Neighboring verses on parents as daivata and on post-mortem enjoyment of dāna
FAQs
This verse states that the body is the sole instrument through which a being can practice dharma and pursue both svarga (heavenly merit) and moksha (liberation).
It implies that spiritual progress depends on embodied life: only with a body can one perform actions, disciplines, and worship that shape the soul’s post-death trajectory toward higher realms or liberation.
Treat the body as a sacred vehicle: live ethically, maintain health, and use embodied life for sadhana—study, charity, self-control, and devotion.