Shloka 25
The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body
जातस्य मृत्युलोके वै प्राणिनो मरणं ध्रुवम् / मृतिः कुर्यात् स्वधर्मेण यास्यतश्च परन्तप
jātasya mṛtyuloke vai prāṇino maraṇaṃ dhruvam / mṛtiḥ kuryāt svadharmeṇa yāsyataśca parantapa
മൃത്യുലോകത്തിൽ ജനിച്ച ജീവികൾക്ക് മരണം നിശ്ചിതമാണ്. അതിനാൽ, ഹേ പരന്തപ, യാത്ര പുറപ്പെടുമ്പോൾ സ്വധർമ്മം പാലിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് മരണത്തെ വരിക്കണം।
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Death is inevitable; therefore one should face it while established in svadharma.
Vedantic Theme: Impermanence (anityatā) as spur to dharma; alignment of action with one’s nature/duty as purification supporting higher gati.
Application: Live with clarity about mortality: fulfill responsibilities ethically, reduce unfinished obligations, and cultivate a disciplined life that prepares for death without panic.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: cosmic realm designation
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated emphasis on anityatā and the necessity of dharma/śrāddha preparation; Garuda Purana: counsel on righteous living to avoid fearful post-mortem outcomes
FAQs
This verse stresses that since death is inevitable, the best preparation is to live and depart while established in one’s rightful duties—svadharma—so the onward journey is supported by dharmic merit.
It frames death as a transition—“as one departs onward”—implying continuity beyond the body; the quality of that transition is shaped by whether one maintained dharma while living and at life’s end.
Live with integrity in your responsibilities, reduce harm, and align daily choices with dharma—so whenever death arrives, the mind is steadier and one leaves without moral confusion.