Shloka 20
Karma-vipāka: Truth, Yama’s Judgment, and the Marks of Sin in Rebirth
चातको जलहर्ता स्याद्धान्यहर्ता च मूषिकः / अप्राप्तयौवनां सेवन् भवेत्सर्प इति श्रुतिः
cātako jalahartā syāddhānyahartā ca mūṣikaḥ / aprāptayauvanāṃ sevan bhavetsarpa iti śrutiḥ
One who steals water becomes a cātaka bird; one who steals grain becomes a mouse. And one who has intercourse with a girl who has not yet reached maturity becomes a serpent—so declares the sacred tradition.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Misappropriating life-sustaining resources and violating sexual ethics lead to corresponding lower rebirths; śruti is invoked to authorize the norm.
Vedantic Theme: Adharma distorts buddhi and binds to saṃsāra; protection of the vulnerable aligns with sattva and dharmic order.
Application: Do not steal communal necessities; uphold strict sexual ethics, especially protecting minors; cultivate restraint and accountability.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: theft and sexual misconduct mapped to tiryak rebirths (neighboring verses)
FAQs
It summarizes how specific harmful actions (theft of essentials and sexual wrongdoing) are said to produce specific karmic rebirths, reinforcing dharma as preparation for a better post-death journey.
Preta Kanda emphasizes that one’s conduct shapes post-mortem experience and future births; this verse gives concrete examples of how adharma can lead to lower yonis (animal births), obstructing auspicious gati.
Respect shared resources (especially water and food), avoid exploitation and harm, and uphold sexual responsibility—ethical restraint is presented as a safeguard against severe karmic outcomes.