Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 51
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
द्रव्यसूक्ष्मविपाकश्च धूमो रात्रिरपक्षय: । अयनं दक्षिणं सोमो दर्श ओषधिवीरुध: ॥ ५० ॥ अन्नं रेत इति क्ष्मेश पितृयानं पुनर्भव: । एकैकश्येनानुपूर्वं भूत्वा भूत्वेह जायते ॥ ५१ ॥
dravya-sūkṣma-vipākaś ca dhūmo rātrir apakṣayaḥ ayanaṁ dakṣiṇaṁ somo darśa oṣadhi-vīrudhaḥ
Wahai Raja Yudhiṣṭhira, ketika ghee dan biji-bijian seperti jelai serta wijen dipersembahkan dalam yajña, persembahan itu berbuah halus menjadi asap surgawi yang membawa pelakunya bertahap melewati alam Dhūma, Rātri, Kṛṣṇapakṣa, Dakṣiṇāyana, hingga akhirnya ke bulan. Namun kemudian mereka turun lagi ke bumi menjadi tumbuhan obat, sulur, sayuran, dan biji-bijian; itu dimakan, berubah menjadi mani, disalurkan ke tubuh perempuan, dan demikianlah kelahiran berulang terjadi.
This is explained in Bhagavad-gītā (9.21) :
FAQs
This verse outlines a karmic post-death progression through smoke, night, the dark fortnight, the sun’s southern course, the moon, and then into vegetation—indicating a return toward rebirth rather than liberation.
Parīkṣit was hearing essential teachings before death; Śukadeva explains karmic routes like pitṛyāna to show how material piety still leads to rebirth, encouraging exclusive devotion for liberation.
Do not rely only on ritual merit or worldly virtue; cultivate bhakti and detachment so one’s consciousness aims for liberation rather than cyclical return.