Shloka 5
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
किं चाहं न भुवं यास्ये नरा मय्यामृजन्त्यघम् । मृजामि तदघं क्वाहं राजंस्तत्र विचिन्त्यताम् ॥ ५ ॥
kiṁ cāhaṁ na bhuvaṁ yāsye narā mayy āmṛjanty agham mṛjāmi tad aghaṁ kvāhaṁ rājaṁs tatra vicintyatām
O King, I do not wish to descend to the earth, for people will bathe in my waters to wash away the reactions of their sins. When those sins accumulate in me, how shall I be freed from them? Please consider this carefully.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
FAQs
This verse states that people cleanse sin by taking shelter of a powerful, righteous authority; it also highlights that one who removes others’ sins must consider how those sins are themselves dealt with.
Yamaraja raises a dilemma about descending to earth: humans may become purified by him, but he must reflect on where the burden of the sins he removes would be purified—urging the King to think deeply about dharma and accountability.
Do not offload responsibility onto others; help others become purified, but remain vigilant about your own integrity, boundaries, and the karmic consequences of what you accept or enable.