Shloka 10
Dāna–Tapaḥ Praśaṃsā and Gṛhastha-Upadeśa
Maitreya
उपपसद्यति धर्मज्ञ यथापापफलोपगम् । तस्मान्मृत्युभयात् कीट मा व्यथिष्ठा: कथंचन
upapasadyati dharmajña yathāpāpaphalopagam | tasmān mṛtyubhayāt kīṭa mā vyathiṣṭhāḥ kathaṃcana ||
O knower of dharma, the consequences of sin come to a person in due course, arriving just as their deeds warrant. Therefore, O worm, do not be distressed in any way out of fear of death.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes moral causality: the fruits of wrongdoing inevitably arrive in accordance with one’s actions, so one should not be overwhelmed by fear of death but face outcomes with steadiness and ethical clarity.
Vyāsa addresses someone he calls a 'knower of dharma' while also using the humbling address 'worm,' urging the listener not to panic about death, reminding them that consequences unfold according to one’s deeds.