Shloka 153
Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga
Path to Yama
जीवन् पुत्रकलत्रादिप्रदिष्टमितरैः खग / यो न साधयति स्वार्थमेवं पश्चाद्धिखिद्यते
jīvan putrakalatrādipradiṣṭamitaraiḥ khaga / yo na sādhayati svārthamevaṃ paścāddhikhidyate
O Garuḍa, one who, while still alive, does not accomplish his true purpose—though advised by his son, wife, and others—later indeed falls into regret and sorrow.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Human life must be used to accomplish one’s true purpose (svārtha/puruṣārtha); ignoring wise counsel leads to post-facto sorrow.
Vedantic Theme: Kāla (time) and anityatā; urgency of sādhana before prāṇa departs; viveka leading to vairāgya.
Application: Heed dharmic counsel from well-wishers; set priorities (dharma, inner growth, remembrance of Hari) rather than postponing essential duties.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring admonitions on not delaying śrāddha/dāna/sādhana until death approaches; Garuda Purana: dialogues where Garuḍa is addressed as ‘khaga’ and warned about human procrastination
FAQs
This verse stresses urgency: spiritual and ethical aims must be pursued while alive; otherwise, one is left with remorse when time and capacity are lost.
Preta Kanda repeatedly warns that after death the jīva faces consequences and helplessness; therefore, the time for dharma, right conduct, and preparation is the living state.
Don’t postpone essential duties—practice dharma, self-discipline, and remembrance of mortality now, even if family counsel is already pointing you toward what is truly beneficial.