Shloka 63
The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
गच्छंति भीता असुरा स्तावंतो गरुडाहिवत् । पूर्ववत्सकलं कर्म कुर्यात्तत्रापि मोहिनि ॥ ६३ ॥
gacchaṃti bhītā asurā stāvaṃto garuḍāhivat | pūrvavatsakalaṃ karma kuryāttatrāpi mohini || 63 ||
Von Furcht ergriffen fliehen die Asuras—wie Schlangen vor Garuḍa—und bringen dabei Lobpreis dar. Und auch dort, o Mohinī, die Betörende, soll man alle Riten und Pflichten genau wie zuvor vollziehen.
Narada (narrating within a Tirtha-Mahatmya passage; addressed to Mohinī in the verse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It contrasts fear-driven surrender (the Asuras praising while fleeing) with steady dharma: even amid extraordinary events, one should continue prescribed duties and rites “as before” (pūrvavat), emphasizing continuity of righteous conduct.
The verse hints that praise offered under fear is unstable, while true devotion is expressed through consistent, disciplined practice—keeping one’s karmic and ritual obligations intact rather than reacting only to dramatic circumstances.
It underscores kalpa-oriented discipline (ritual procedure): perform the full set of prescribed actions (sakalaṃ karma) according to established method (pūrvavat), reflecting the importance of correct ritual order and continuity.