Shloka 47
Dāna for the Preta: Supreme Gifts, Yama’s Pacification, and Viṣṇu-Smaraṇa at the Time of Death
धर्मे मतिमहं दद्यामधर्मे ऽप्यहमेव च / यातनां कुरुते सो ऽपि धर्मे मुक्तिं ददाम्यहम्
dharme matimahaṃ dadyāmadharme 'pyahameva ca / yātanāṃ kurute so 'pi dharme muktiṃ dadāmyaham
„Ich selbst verleihe das Verständnis, das sich dem Dharma zuneigt, und ich allein gestatte auch die Neigung zum Adharma. Er verhängt ebenso Qual über den Sünder; doch durch Dharma bin ich es, der Befreiung (mokṣa) gewährt.“
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Preta Kanda discourse)
Concept: Īśvara as the ultimate regulator of moral inclination and dispenser of consequences; dharma becomes the channel for mukti granted by the divine.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha (grace) alongside karma; dharma as purifier leading toward liberation.
Application: Hold responsibility with humility: pray for right inclination (sumati), practice dharma steadily, and accept consequences as corrective rather than arbitrary.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.30.46 (karma and inclination); Garuda Purana 2.30.48 (Vaitarani crossing; reaching Vishnuloka)
FAQs
The verse states that dharma is the decisive path by which liberation is granted; dharma-oriented understanding is ultimately bestowed by the Supreme, and moksha is given through adherence to dharma.
It distinguishes the administration of torment for wrongdoing from the bestowal of liberation: punishments occur for adharma, while liberation is granted through dharma, both operating under the Supreme’s overarching governance.
Cultivate dharmic discernment—truthfulness, restraint, compassion, and duty—so actions do not lead to suffering; consistent righteous living is presented as the sure route toward inner freedom and ultimate liberation.