Shloka 27
गायन्ति देवाः किल गीतकानि धन्यास्तु ये भारतभूमिभागे / स्वर्गापवर्गस्य फलार्जनाय भवन्ति भूयः पुरुषाः सुरत्वात्
gāyanti devāḥ kila gītakāni dhanyāstu ye bhāratabhūmibhāge / svargāpavargasya phalārjanāya bhavanti bhūyaḥ puruṣāḥ suratvāt
It is said that the gods sing hymns of praise: “Blessed indeed are those who gain human birth in some region of the land of Bhārata. To obtain the fruits of heaven—and even of liberation—they become human once more, having fallen from godhood.”
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda)
Concept: Human birth in Bhārata is uniquely efficacious for earning svarga and apavarga; deva-life is pleasurable but limited for liberation-oriented effort.
Vedantic Theme: Svarga is finite (kṣīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṁ); mokṣa requires sādhana, vairāgya, and often human embodiment with its friction that generates inquiry.
Application: Use the conditions of human life—limitations, duties, suffering—as fuel for disciplined practice (japa, dāna, śravaṇa-manana) rather than envy of 'easier' pleasures.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: sacred land/region
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: praise of Bhārata as karma-bhūmi; emphasis that post-death outcomes depend on actions done here
FAQs
This verse says even the devas praise a human birth in Bhārata because it uniquely enables one to earn the fruits of svarga and, more importantly, pursue apavarga (liberation) through dharma and spiritual effort.
It implies that deva-status is not the final goal: after enjoying celestial results, beings may take human birth again, because the decisive striving for moksha (apavarga) is most effectively undertaken in a human body through intentional karma, devotion, and knowledge.
Treat human life as a rare opportunity: practice dharma, reduce harmful actions, and cultivate devotion and self-knowledge—aiming not only for worldly or heavenly merit, but for inner freedom (moksha).