Shloka 78
Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi
Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu
तयोः स्वरूपं प्रविदित्वैव पूर्वं पुनः पुनः स्वीकरोत्येव मूढः / शिश्रं मौर्ख्याच्चैव कुत्रापि योनौ प्रवेशयेत्सर्वदा ह्यादरेण
tayoḥ svarūpaṃ praviditvaiva pūrvaṃ punaḥ punaḥ svīkarotyeva mūḍhaḥ / śiśraṃ maurkhyāccaiva kutrāpi yonau praveśayetsarvadā hyādareṇa
അവയുടെ (വിഷയാസക്തികളുടെ) യഥാർത്ഥ സ്വരൂപം മുമ്പേ അറിഞ്ഞിട്ടും മോഹിതൻ അവയെ വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും സ്വീകരിക്കുന്നു. പിന്നെ വെറും മൂഢത്വം കൊണ്ടു, എപ്പോഴും ആസക്തിയോടെ, തന്റെ ജനനേന്ദ്രിയത്തെ ഏതെങ്കിലും യോനിയിൽ പ്രവേശിപ്പിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നു.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)
Concept: Even with prior understanding (viveka), moha drives repetition of desire, leading to continued rebirth through sexual attachment; knowledge without sustained practice fails to uproot vāsanā.
Vedantic Theme: Vāsanā/saṃskāra overpowering mere intellectual insight; need for vairāgya and abhyāsa to convert viveka into liberation-oriented conduct.
Application: Identify relapse loops; pair insight with concrete disciplines (brahmacarya boundaries, satsanga, japa); treat desire as a conditioned pattern requiring sustained practice, not just understanding.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.28.79 (loss of shame/fear); Garuda Purana 3.28.76-77 (sense habits)
FAQs
This verse frames uncontrolled lust as a cause of repeated attachment and repeated entry into birth (yoni), reinforcing samsara; restraint reduces karmic compulsion.
It depicts a person who, despite knowing the reality of sense-objects, keeps choosing them; that recurring choice becomes the driver for repeated embodiment through various wombs.
Cultivate discernment and self-restraint: avoid compulsive indulgence, practice ethical sexuality, and strengthen detachment through discipline, prayer, and mindful conduct.