Shloka 6

Dharma-sāra: Dāna-mahātmyam, Karma-vāda, and the Conquest of Grief and Greed

Devanagari script

तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण यज्ञैः स्नानेन वा पुनः / धर्मस्य नाशका ये च ते वै निरयगामिनः

Transliteration

tapasā brahmacaryeṇa yajñaiḥ snānena vā punaḥ / dharmasya nāśakā ye ca te vai nirayagāminaḥ

Translation

By austerity, brahmacarya, sacrifices (yajña), or even ritual bathing—those who nevertheless destroy dharma are indeed destined to go to Naraka (hell).

Word by Word

• तपसा: by austerity
• तपसा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन

• ब्रह्मचर्येण: by celibacy; by brahmacarya
• ब्रह्मचर्येण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन

• यज्ञैः: by sacrifices
• यज्ञैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन

• स्नानेन: by bathing
• स्नानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पबोधक अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• पुनः: again; moreover
• पुनः: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) — repetition/emphasis

• धर्मस्य: of dharma
• धर्मस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन

• नाशकाः: destroyers
• नाशकाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाशक (प्रातिपदिक; √नश् धातु + ण्वुल्/क)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; कर्तरि कृदन्त — ‘destroyers’

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक (relative pronoun)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; संकेत (correlative pronoun)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle) — assertion

• निरयगामिनः: hell-goers; those who go to hell
• निरयगामिनः: Karta (Predicate-noun/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निरय (प्रातिपदिक) + गामिन् (प्रातिपदिक; √गम् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (निरयं गच्छन्ति इति) — ‘going to hell’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Naraka

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External religious acts do not redeem one who destroys dharma; such a person goes to naraka.

Vedantic Theme: Primacy of inner righteousness over mere ritualism; karma is determined by ethical substance, not spiritual display.

Application: Align vows, rituals, and public piety with honest conduct; avoid using spirituality to justify harm, corruption, or exploitation; practice self-audit and restitution.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: naraka outcomes for adharma; critique of hypocrisy and harm despite ritual observance (thematic internal parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Naraka

FAQs

What is the importance of dharma over rituals in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that even respected practices like tapas, brahmacarya, yajña, and snāna do not save a person who actively destroys dharma; such a person is still Naraka-bound.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It links post-death destination to moral causality: undermining dharma leads to a hellish trajectory (niraya-gati), regardless of external religious observances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize ethical integrity and protection of righteous conduct; spiritual disciplines should refine character, not serve as a cover for harmful or unrighteous actions.