Shloka 40
Hari in the Primeval Waters: Prakṛti as Veil, the ‘Sleep’ Metaphor, and Brahmā’s Lotus-Channel Inquiry
विष्णोराज्ञानुसारेण भयायानुकरोत्यसौ / तेन प्रीणाति च हरिस्तस्य नास्त्यत्र संशयः
viṣṇorājñānusāreṇa bhayāyānukarotyasau / tena prīṇāti ca haristasya nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ
តាមព្រះបញ្ជារបស់ព្រះវិṣṇu គាត់ប្រព្រឹត្តដើម្បីបង្កើតភ័យ; ដោយសកម្មភាពនោះឯង ព្រះហរិ (វិṣṇu) ពេញព្រះហឫទ័យ—អំពីនេះ គ្មានសង្ស័យឡើយ។
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Actions performed in obedience to Viṣṇu’s command—even those that appear harsh (instilling fear)—become pleasing service when aligned with divine will.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-ājñā as dharma; karma-yoga/bhakti synthesis: intention and alignment with the Lord sanctify action.
Application: Align duties with ethical-spiritual intention: act firmly when required (setting boundaries, warning against harm) without malice, as service to dharma and God.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana passages where Viṣṇu’s will governs cosmic order and pedagogical fear/awe supports devotion
FAQs
This verse frames fear of consequences as a dharmic deterrent: Yama’s stern administration is not independent cruelty but execution of Viṣṇu’s ordinance to uphold moral order.
By implying a governed afterlife system: the soul encounters karmic judgment and corrective punishment through Yama’s agents, functioning under Viṣṇu’s cosmic law rather than random fate.
Treat ethical restraint and accountability as spiritually meaningful: remembering consequences (karmic and social) supports dharma, and respecting divine law encourages right conduct.