Shloka 31
Moksha and Svarga through Dāna, Tīrtha, Nāma-smaraṇa, and Bhāva
कृत्वा पापान्यनेकानि भर्तृद्रोहमतिः सदा / प्रक्षालयति सर्वाणि या स्वं पतिमनुव्रजेत्
kṛtvā pāpānyanekāni bhartṛdrohamatiḥ sadā / prakṣālayati sarvāṇi yā svaṃ patimanuvrajet
Selbst wenn sie viele Sünden begangen hat und stets zum Verrat am Gatten neigt, wäscht die Frau, die ihrem eigenen Mann treu folgt, sie alle hinweg.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: A powerful dharmic act is said to ‘wash away’ accumulated pāpa, implying hierarchy of karmic weights and transformative prāyaścitta-like efficacy.
Vedantic Theme: Karma can be attenuated by countervailing acts; yet ultimate freedom requires knowledge/bhakti beyond transactional purification.
Application: Emphasize sincere repentance and transformative ethical commitment; avoid using the idea to justify wrongdoing as ‘erasable’ by a single act.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.38.32 (extends purification to the husband through the wife’s devotion)
FAQs
This verse presents faithful adherence to one’s husband as a powerful dharmic discipline that can counteract and cleanse accumulated sin, emphasizing conduct-based purification.
Within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue on post-death consequences, it frames a specific dharmic vow—following/serving one’s husband—as generating purifying merit that can neutralize prior wrongdoing.
Adopt steadfast loyalty, integrity, and responsibility in close relationships; the verse highlights that consistent dharmic conduct and sincere commitment can reform character and reduce harmful karmic patterns.