Shloka 21
Signs at the Death of Sinners and the Approach of Yama’s Messengers
अपानमार्गमाश्रित्य शृणु कांत प्रयांति ते । एवं प्राणी महामुग्धो लोभमोहसमन्वितः
apānamārgamāśritya śṛṇu kāṃta prayāṃti te | evaṃ prāṇī mahāmugdho lobhamohasamanvitaḥ
S’appuyant sur la voie descendante (de l’apāna), écoute, ô bien-aimée : c’est par là qu’ils s’en vont. Ainsi l’être incarné, grandement égaré, est enlacé de convoitise et de confusion.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed to confirm: often framed as a dialogue such as Mahādeva → Pārvatī or Pulastya → Bhīṣma in Padma Purāṇa)
Concept: Lobha and moha determine the soul’s downward trajectory; the direction of prāṇa mirrors the direction of consciousness.
Application: Reduce greed through dāna and contentment; train the mind with japa so that at crisis/death it turns upward to Hari rather than downward to fear and attachment.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forked subtle road appears: one path rises toward a faint lotus-like radiance, the other sinks into a smoky chasm labeled by symbols of apāna. A deluded being, weighed down by sacks of coins and tangled vines of attachment, is gently but inexorably pulled downward as a compassionate voice warns, 'Listen, beloved.'","primary_figures":["deluded jīva","implied teacher-voice (off-scene)","symbolic apāna currents"],"setting":"A liminal crossroads between worlds, with prāṇic currents visualized as flowing ribbons—one descending, one ascending.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["smoke violet","burnt umber","pale silver","lotus pink","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dramatic crossroads composition with gold leaf highlighting the upward lotus-radiance and the descending apāna stream; the jīva adorned with heavy, gem-like burdens symbolizing lobha; ornate borders with traditional motifs; rich reds and greens contrasted with dark smoky lower realm.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate depiction of two paths across a stylized landscape; the descending route into misty ravines, the ascending route toward a serene sky; refined facial features showing moha; cool palette with subtle gold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined prāṇa ribbons—one descending thick and dark, one ascending thin and bright; the jīva’s posture bent by greed; background in earthy reds/yellows with green-black shadows; didactic iconographic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic lotus border—lotuses upright near the ascending path and drooping near the descending; intricate floral patterns; deep blue ground with gold detailing; a tiny Viṣṇu emblem at the top as the true north of consciousness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft bell strokes","whispering wind","distant conch","footsteps on gravel"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अपानमार्गमाश्रित्य = अपानमार्गम् + आश्रित्य; कांत = कान्त; प्रयांति = प्रयान्ति; महामुग्धो = महामुग्धः; लोभमोहसमन्वितः (समासरूपम्)
FAQs
“Apāna-mārga” literally means the downward course associated with apāna (a vital wind). In many Dharma texts it also implies a ‘lower’ or downward-moving tendency—symbolically, a fall into unwholesome destinations or decline driven by ignorance and desire.
It identifies the root condition as mahā-moha (deep delusion) reinforced by lobha (greed). Together they propel the being toward a downward course—spiritually and ethically.
Unchecked greed and delusion distort judgment and lead one onto a degrading path. The implied counsel is vigilance, self-restraint, and clarity (viveka) to avoid being carried by such impulses.