Shloka 35
अनुभूतम् इवान्यस्मिञ् जन्मन्य् आत्मविचेष्टितम् संस्मरन् यौवने दीर्घं निःश्वसित्य् अतितापितः
anubhūtam ivānyasmiñ janmany ātmaviceṣṭitam saṃsmaran yauvane dīrghaṃ niḥśvasity atitāpitaḥ
In his youth, recalling—as though directly experienced—his own deeds from another birth, he let out a long, heavy sigh, consumed by burning remorse.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Karmic memory and remorse: recollection of past-birth deeds prompting detachment and liberation-seeking
Teaching: Devotional
Quality: compassionate
Concept: The resurfacing of past-birth actions and their fruits kindles remorse, pointing to karma’s continuity and the need to transcend saṃsāra through right knowledge and devotion.
Vedantic Theme: Karma
Application: Reflect on consequences of actions, practice confession/prāyaścitta where appropriate, and redirect life toward bhakti and sattvic conduct.
Vishishtadvaita: Karma binds the jīva across births, yet liberation is attained by the Lord’s grace through bhakti/prapatti, not by mere self-effort—remorse becomes a doorway to surrender.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse uses past-life recollection to show how karma matures into self-awareness, producing remorse that can redirect a person toward dharma and devotion to Vishnu.
By depicting a character who remembers his own prior actions and suffers inner torment, Parāśara illustrates karma not as abstract theory but as lived consequence shaping character and destiny.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Purana’s framework implies that karmic awakening and repentance are steps that ultimately orient the soul toward Vishnu as the sustaining Supreme Reality and refuge.