Shloka 16
Somaka–Jantu Ākhyāna: Desire-Driven Sacrifice and Shared Karmic Consequence
नरके वा धर्मराज कर्मणास्य समो हाहम् । पुण्यापुण्यफलं देव सममस्त्वावयोरिदम्,सोमक बोले--धर्मराज! मैं अपने वेदवेत्ता पुरोहितके बिना पुण्यलोकोंमें जानेकी इच्छा नहीं रखता। स्वर्गलोक हो या नरक--मैं कहीं भी इन्हींके साथ रहना चाहता हूँ। देव! मेरे पुण्यकर्मोंपर इनका मेरे समान ही अधिकार है। हम दोनोंको यह पुण्य और पापका फल समानरूपसे मिलना चाहिये
narake vā dharmarāja karmaṇāsya samo hāham | puṇyāpuṇyaphalaṃ deva samam astv āvayor idam ||
Somaka said: “O Dharmarāja, even if it be hell, by my own deed I am equal to him—alas! O divine one, let the fruit of merit and demerit be the same for the two of us. I do not wish to go to the worlds of merit without my Veda-knowing priest; whether heaven or hell, I choose to remain together with him. Let him have an equal share in whatever my actions have earned.”
सोमक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical solidarity and gratitude: Somaka insists that the moral fruits of his life (puṇya and apuṇya) should be shared equally with his priest, refusing personal salvation that excludes one to whom he feels deep obligation. It underscores the Mahābhārata theme that dharma includes loyalty, reciprocity, and responsibility for those who guided one’s life.
Somaka addresses Dharmarāja (Yama) in the context of post-mortem judgment. He declares that he will not accept entry into heavenly realms without his Veda-learned purohita and asks that whatever results his deeds have produced—good or bad—be apportioned equally between them, so they remain together whether in heaven or hell.