Shloka 9
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and Dāna as the Soul’s True Companion on the Path to Yama
क्षत्त्रान्वयो वापि विशोन्वयो वा शूद्रान्वयो वापि हि नीचवर्णः / संग्रामदेवद्विजबालघाती स्त्रीवृद्धहा दीनतपस्विहन्ता
kṣattrānvayo vāpi viśonvayo vā śūdrānvayo vāpi hi nīcavarṇaḥ / saṃgrāmadevadvijabālaghātī strīvṛddhahā dīnatapasvihantā
たとえクシャトリヤの家系、ヴァイシャの家系、あるいはシュードラの家系に生まれようとも、殺戮の者となれば卑しい行いの人と見なされる。すなわち戦場で人を殺す者、デーヴァに仕える者（または信奉者）を殺す者、ブラーフマナと子どもを害する者、女と老人を殺す者、そして貧しき者や苦行者を打ち倒す者である。
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Conduct (ācāra) overrides birth; certain killings (of brahmins, children, women, elderly, helpless, ascetics, and the devout) mark one as ‘low’ through adharma.
Vedantic Theme: Karma and adhikara: actions shape one’s moral-spiritual status more than lineage; tamasic/rajasic violence obscures sattva and right discernment.
Application: Adopt non-violence toward protected persons; uphold rules of righteous warfare; cultivate restraint and protection of the vulnerable and religious persons.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/Dharmakanda sections on mahāpātakas and naraka results for brahma-hatyā, strī-hatyā, bāla-hatyā, vṛddha-hatyā; Garuda Purana passages on kṣātra-dharma and limits of violence
FAQs
It states that status by birth does not protect one from moral downfall—grave violence (killing the vulnerable and the righteous) makes a person ‘low’ by conduct and invites karmic consequences.
The verse functions as a moral classification of severe sins that are weighed in Yama’s domain, emphasizing that harmful acts—especially against protected groups like women, children, elders, and ascetics—carry heavy repercussions after death.
Measure character by actions, not identity; cultivate non-violence, protect the vulnerable, and avoid cruelty—these are core dharmic safeguards against destructive karma.