Shloka 27
The Marks of Merit and the Destinies of Beings
Divine vs Demonic Traits
ते यक्षा दुर्गतिस्थाश्च परार्थे भारवाहकाः । प्रेतानां लक्षणं यद्वा सर्वलोकविगर्हितं
te yakṣā durgatisthāśca parārthe bhāravāhakāḥ | pretānāṃ lakṣaṇaṃ yadvā sarvalokavigarhitaṃ
Jene Yakṣas, die in einem üblen Zustand verweilen, werden zu Lastträgern für andere. Das ist das Kennzeichen der Pretas (ruhelosen Toten) — wahrlich, von allen Welten verurteilt.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses to confirm the dialogue pair).
Concept: Self-centered hoarding and adharma can ripen into a preta-like condition—servitude, burden-bearing, and universal contempt.
Application: Cultivate generosity and service while alive; perform śrāddha/charity for ancestors; avoid exploiting others so one does not become ‘parārthe bhāravāhaka’ (a carrier for others’ ends).
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A once-wealthy Yakṣa now appears gaunt and gray, bent under an enormous palanquin load, trudging along a bleak road while crowds avert their eyes in disgust. Above, faint ghostly forms (pretas) hover like smoke, illustrating the ‘mark of the preta’ and the shame seen by all worlds.","primary_figures":["Yakṣa turned burden-bearer","preta-forms (restless spirits)","onlookers representing ‘all worlds’","a moralizing sage/teacher (optional, pointing)"],"setting":"desolate crossroads leading toward a shadowy nether path; distant city gate where people recoil","lighting_mood":"overcast, ashen, oppressive","color_palette":["dust gray","charcoal black","pale bone","rust brown","dull saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central figure of a bent Yakṣa burden-bearer with stylized ornaments now tarnished; gold leaf used sparingly to show lost splendor; surrounding figures in courtly attire turning away; ornate border with moral emblems (scales of karma).","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a long winding path with a small, hunched carrier figure; delicate depiction of onlookers’ expressions of contempt; cool subdued tones, misty hills suggesting ‘dur-gati’ distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: dramatic posture of the burden-bearer, bold outlines, simplified preta silhouettes above; earthy reds and blacks with yellow highlights; temple-wall didactic composition like a moral panel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical layout—center shows the burden-bearer; border medallions show acts of dāna and Vishnu-sevā as the contrasting remedy; deep indigo background with muted gold and floral motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"grave","sound_elements":["wind over dry ground","distant drum (mridanga) like a warning","chain/wood creak of a heavy load","crowd murmurs fading into silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दुर्गतिस्थाः + च → दुर्गतिस्थाश्च; यद् + वा → यद्वा; सर्वलोक + विगर्हितम् → सर्वलोकविगर्हितम् (समास)
FAQs
It describes certain Yakṣas as being in a “durgati” (fallen or miserable state), compelled to carry burdens for others—presented as a degraded consequence.
The verse treats forced, humiliating servitude—being made a burden-bearer—as a sign associated with the preta-state, i.e., an unhappy post-death condition.
It frames such conduct or destiny as universally blameworthy, reinforcing a moral caution: actions leading to degradation and social/spiritual censure should be avoided.