Shloka 8
Arrival at Yama’s cities: Citragupta’s scrutiny, Dharmadhvaja’s gate, and the necessity of dāna
तं दृष्ट्वा भयभीतस्तु हाहेति वदते जनः / कृतं दानं च यैर्मर्त्यैस्तेषां नास्ति भयं क्वचित्
taṃ dṛṣṭvā bhayabhītastu hāheti vadate janaḥ / kṛtaṃ dānaṃ ca yairmartyaisteṣāṃ nāsti bhayaṃ kvacit
അവനെ കണ്ടാൽ ജനങ്ങൾ ഭയവിഹ്വലരായി ‘ഹാ ഹാ’ എന്നു വിലപിക്കുന്നു. എന്നാൽ ദാനം ചെയ്ത മർത്ത്യർക്കു ഈ പഥത്തിൽ എവിടെയും ഭയം ഇല്ല।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: दानं अभय-हेतुः; परलोकमार्गे भय-निवारकं पुण्य-बलम्
Vedantic Theme: कर्मयोगः—त्यागेन चित्तशुद्धिः, भय-क्षयः
Application: नियमितं दानं/सेवा (विशेषतः अन्न, वस्त्र, औषध) कृत्वा ‘fear of consequences’ इत्यस्य स्थानं ‘ethical confidence’ इत्यनेन पूरयेत्
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: pathway/encounter point
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: दान-प्रकरण; अभय-दान/अन्न-दान-फल; Garuda Purana: यमदर्शन-भय-वर्णन
FAQs
This verse states that charity performed in life becomes a source of protection, removing fear for the soul on the frightening post-death path.
It implies that the after-death journey contains terrifying encounters that make people cry out, yet meritorious acts like dāna create fearlessness and support during that passage.
Practice regular, sincere giving and ethical generosity; the text presents dāna as a lasting spiritual asset that strengthens courage and reduces suffering in transitions, including death.