Shloka 73
An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body
Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā
कदाचिद्भुक्तकर्मा च भुवं स्वल्पेन गच्छति / स्वर्लोके नरके चैव भुक्तप्राये द्विजोत्तमाः
kadācidbhuktakarmā ca bhuvaṃ svalpena gacchati / svarloke narake caiva bhuktaprāye dvijottamāḥ
At times, after tasting the fruits of former deeds, a being swiftly passes through the earthly realm; and likewise through heaven and through hell, O best of the twice-born, when the karma is almost wholly exhausted.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda, addressing him respectfully as an exalted listener)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Karma is ‘consumed’ by experience; when nearly exhausted, the jīva moves swiftly through realms.
Vedantic Theme: Saṃsāra driven by prārabdha; lokas are anitya; impetus toward vairāgya and mokṣa-seeking.
Application: Cultivate detachment from both pleasure and pain; prioritize sādhanā that ends the cycle rather than seeking temporary lokas.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: discussions on bhoga as exhaustion of karma; fall from svarga after puṇya is spent; naraka as pāpa-bhoga
FAQs
This verse highlights that when karmic results are nearly exhausted, the soul’s stay in various realms (earth, heaven, hell) becomes brief—showing these states are temporary and governed by remaining karmic residue.
It presents Svarga and Naraka as sequential experiences of karma-phala (results of actions); once those results are largely ‘consumed’ (bhukta), the being moves on swiftly rather than remaining long in any one realm.
Live ethically and reduce harmful actions, understanding that pleasures and punishments are temporary karmic outcomes; prioritize dharma and inner purification rather than chasing short-lived results.