Shloka 31
Kapila’s Analysis of Materialistic Life, Death, and the Path to Hell
Kāla, Karma, and Yamadūtas
एक: प्रपद्यते ध्वान्तं हित्वेदं स्वकलेवरम् । कुशलेतरपाथेयो भूतद्रोहेण यद्भृतम् ॥ ३१ ॥
ekaḥ prapadyate dhvāntaṁ hitvedaṁ sva-kalevaram kuśaletara-pātheyo bhūta-droheṇa yad bhṛtam
Abandoning this body, he goes alone into the most dreadful darkness of hell; and the wealth he amassed through envy and hostility toward other living beings becomes the fare by which he departs this world.
When a man earns money by unfair means and maintains his family and himself with that money, the money is enjoyed by many members of the family, but he alone goes to hell. A person who enjoys life by earning money or by envying another’s life, and who enjoys with family and friends, will have to enjoy alone the resultant sinful reactions accrued from such violent and illicit life. For example, if a man secures some money by killing someone and with that money maintains his family, those who enjoy the black money earned by him are also partially responsible and are also sent to hell, but he who is the leader is especially punished. The result of material enjoyment is that one takes with him the sinful reaction only, and not the money. The money he earned is left in this world, and he takes only the reaction.
FAQs
This verse says the soul leaves the body and goes onward alone, carrying only its karma—especially harmful acts toward other beings—which leads into “darkness,” a state of suffering and ignorance.
Kapila is instructing Devahuti on the dangers of adverse fruitive work: cruelty and envy toward creatures become sinful reactions that escort the soul to degraded, dark conditions after death.
Reduce violence in thought, word, and deed—practice compassion, avoid exploitation, and choose dharmic livelihood and habits—so your “provisions” for the next journey become auspicious rather than harmful.