Shloka 45
अपूर्वमिव पश्यामि सर्वं स्वप्नगतो यथा / राजोवाच / स्वधर्मनिरतो यस्तु हरिभक्तिरतः सदा
apūrvamiva paśyāmi sarvaṃ svapnagato yathā / rājovāca / svadharmanirato yastu haribhaktirataḥ sadā
„Ich sehe alles, als wäre es nie dagewesen – wie einer, der in einen Traum eingetreten ist.“ Der König sprach: „Doch wer in seiner eigenen Svadharma standhaft ist und stets in der Hingabe an Hari (Viṣṇu) versunken…“
The King (Raja)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Steadfastness in one’s svadharma together with constant devotion to Hari is the defining excellence.
Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as purifying sādhana within karma-yoga; dharma performed as īśvara-arpana leading toward śānti.
Application: Maintain daily duty with integrity; add consistent Vishnu remembrance (nāma, pūjā, smaraṇa) to stabilize mind amid uncertainty.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: praise of Hari-bhakti as protector in the post-death journey; Garuda Purana: svadharma and devotion as criteria for honor
FAQs
This verse highlights that steadiness in one’s own prescribed duty (svadharma) is a key spiritual anchor, especially when worldly experience feels unstable or dream-like.
By describing perception as dream-like, the verse points to the instability of worldly appearances—encouraging reliance on dharma and Hari-bhakti as enduring supports beyond changing states, including the transition at death.
Do your rightful duties with integrity and cultivate regular Vishnu-bhakti (e.g., nama-japa, prayer, sattvic living) so the mind remains steady even in fear, grief, or life’s uncertainty.