Shloka 16

Āyuḥ-kṣaya by Vikarma; Impermanence of the Body; Aśauca and Child Śrāddha Procedures; Dāna as Remedy

Devanagari script

परकर्मरतो नित्यं यमलोकं स गच्छति / शूद्रः करोतिः यत्किञ्चिद्विजशुश्रूषणं विना

Transliteration

parakarmarato nityaṃ yamalokaṃ sa gacchati / śūdraḥ karotiḥ yatkiñcidvijaśuśrūṣaṇaṃ vinā

Translation

എപ്പോഴും പരകർമ്മത്തിൽ (നിഷിദ്ധ പരധർമ്മത്തിൽ) ലീനനായവൻ യമലോകത്തിലേക്കു പോകുന്നു. അതുപോലെ, ശൂദ്രൻ ദ്വിജരുടെ ഭക്തിസേവയില്ലാതെ ഏതെങ്കിലും കർമ്മം ചെയ്താൽ, യമലോകമാർഗം പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• परकर्मरतः: engaged in others' work
• परकर्मरतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर + कर्मन् + रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (कर्ता); एकवचनम्; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (परकर्मणि रतः = engaged in others' work)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावेन क्रियाविशेषणवत्; अव्यय-प्रयोगः (adverb: always)

• यमलोकम्: Yama's world
• यमलोकम्: Karma (Destination as object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (कर्म/गन्तव्य); एकवचनम्; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (यमस्य लोकः)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचनम्

• गच्छति: goes
• गच्छति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लकारः—लट् (Present); पुरुषः—प्रथम; वचनम्—एकवचनम्

• शूद्रः: a Shudra
• शूद्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (कर्ता); एकवचनम्

• करोति: does
• करोति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लकारः—लट् (Present); पुरुषः—प्रथम; वचनम्—एकवचनम्; पाठे 'करोतिः' इति रूपदोष/पाठान्तरं, सामान्यरूपम्—करोति

• यत्किञ्चित्: whatever, anything
• यत्किञ्चित्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् + किञ्चित् (सर्वनाम/अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (कर्म); एकवचनम्; समुच्चित-प्रयोगः (indefinite: whatever/anything)

• द्विजशुश्रूषणम्: service to a twice-born (Brahmin etc.)
• द्विजशुश्रूषणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज + शुश्रूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (कर्म); एकवचनम्; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (द्विजस्य शुश्रूषणम् = service of the twice-born)

• विना: without
• विना: Nishedha/Apavada (Exclusion/अपवाद)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अव्यय-प्रकारः—उपपद-निपातः (preposition-like: 'without'); द्वितीयाम् अपेक्षते

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Deviation from one’s prescribed duty (parakarma/forbidden work) and neglect of sanctioned service obligations leads to Yama’s path.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as a purifier supporting sattva; adharma strengthens bondage and fear; social duty framed as karmic causality.

Application: Choose livelihood and conduct aligned with ethical norms; avoid exploitative or prohibited work; cultivate respectful service/learning relationships without oppression.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: realm/court of Yama

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated linkage of varna/ashrama duties with post-death outcomes in Pretakalpa and Dharma sections

Characters & Entities

• Yama

FAQs

What is the importance of karma and rightful duty (dharma) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links one’s daily conduct and livelihood to post-death consequences, stating that persistent engagement in improper work can lead the soul toward Yama’s jurisdiction for judgement.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By naming Yamaloka as the destination for specific unethical or dharma-violating behaviors, it frames the afterlife journey as governed by karmic law, where Yama’s realm functions as the court of moral recompense.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose ethical work, avoid exploitative or forbidden livelihoods, and align actions with disciplined service, learning, and respect for spiritual guidance—so conduct does not accumulate causes associated with suffering after death.