Shloka 14
Bhadrā and Mitravindā: The Fruits of Namaskāra, Pradakṣiṇā, Hari-nāma, and Śravaṇa of Bhāgavata Kathā
जन्म ह्येतद्दुर्लभं नश्वरं तु यथा जलस्थं तत्तथैव / नो विस्वासं कुरु गात्रे त्वदीये जीवेष्वपि स्वः परश्चेति तात
janma hyetaddurlabhaṃ naśvaraṃ tu yathā jalasthaṃ tattathaiva / no visvāsaṃ kuru gātre tvadīye jīveṣvapi svaḥ paraśceti tāta
Este nacimiento humano es en verdad difícil de obtener, pero perecedero—como algo que reposa sobre el agua. Por eso, oh amado, no pongas tu confianza en tu propio cuerpo, ni siquiera en la vida de los seres, pensando: «Hay cielo y luego habrá un más allá».
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Human life is rare yet momentary; do not postpone dharma/bhakti thinking heaven or the beyond can be attended to later.
Vedantic Theme: Anityatā (impermanence) and vairāgya as prerequisites for liberation-oriented living; saṃsāra’s instability likened to an object resting on water.
Application: Adopt ‘now’ orientation: begin sādhana immediately; reduce attachment to body-based security; prioritize remembrance, ethical living, and preparation for death.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (general): repeated anityatā teachings urging immediate sādhana and remembrance of Viṣṇu
FAQs
This verse states that human birth is difficult to obtain yet quickly perishes, so one should not waste it in complacency but use it for dharma and spiritual readiness.
By stressing bodily and life’s instability, it implies death can come unexpectedly; therefore, one should not delay preparation for the ‘para’ (the beyond), a key theme in Preta Kanda discussions of post-death journey.
Live with urgency and clarity: do dharma now, reduce attachment to the body and possessions, and maintain daily ethical conduct and remembrance of life’s impermanence.