Shloka 8
Bhūmi-dāna, Satya-dharma, and the Non-cancellation of Sin by Charity
अकर्तव्यं न कर्तव्यं प्राणैः कण्ठगतैरपि / कर्तव्यमेव कर्तव्यमिति धर्मविदो विदुः
akartavyaṃ na kartavyaṃ prāṇaiḥ kaṇṭhagatairapi / kartavyameva kartavyamiti dharmavido viduḥ
Even when the very breath of life rises to the throat, what must not be done should never be done; and what must be done must indeed be done—so know the wise who understand Dharma.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Anucita-tyaga and kartavya-niṣṭhā: never do the forbidden, always do the obligatory, even in extremis.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as purifier of antaḥkaraṇa; steadiness (sthiti) supporting sattva and eventual jñāna/bhakti.
Application: In high-stakes moments (fear, loss, threat), refuse unethical shortcuts; fulfill essential duties (truthfulness, non-harm, protection of dependents).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (dharma-nīti sections): repeated insistence that papa is not washed away by later gifts; Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: karma follows the jīva beyond death, hence dharma must be upheld even at death’s door
FAQs
It teaches unwavering adherence to Dharma: do not commit prohibited acts even under extreme pressure, and do not abandon obligatory duties, because actions shape karmic outcomes.
In the Preta Kanda framework, one’s conduct—especially at critical moments—affects karmic burden and the post-death experience; steadfast dharma is presented as protective for the jīva’s onward passage.
In emergencies or fear-driven situations, avoid unethical shortcuts and keep to essential duties (truthfulness, non-harm, rightful responsibility); crisis is not a license for adharma.