Shloka 16
Dharma-sāra: Dāna-mahātmyam, Karma-vāda, and the Conquest of Grief and Greed
पश्यन्निवाग्रतो मृत्युं यो धर्मं नाचरेन्नरः / अजागलस्तनस्येव तस्य जन्म निरर्थकम्
paśyannivāgrato mṛtyuṃ yo dharmaṃ nācarennaraḥ / ajāgalastanasyeva tasya janma nirarthakam
जो मनुष्य मृत्यूला जणू समोर उभा पाहूनही धर्माचरण करत नाही, त्याचा जन्म बोकडाच्या गळ्यावरील थनासारखा व्यर्थ आहे।
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Knowing death is imminent, failing to practice dharma renders human birth futile—like a useless teat on a goat’s neck.
Vedantic Theme: Mṛtyu-smṛti as catalyst for viveka and dharma; human birth as rare opportunity (durlabha-manushya-janma) not to be wasted.
Application: Keep mortality awareness (memento mori) to prioritize dharma; establish daily dharmic non-negotiables (truth, non-harm, duty, worship/meditation).
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: frequent mṛtyu-smṛti exhortations and denunciations of pramada (spiritual negligence)
FAQs
This verse states that dharma gives life its purpose; without practicing dharma—even knowing death is near—one’s life is declared futile.
By stressing death-awareness and dharma, it implies that one’s post-death condition is shaped by conduct; neglect of dharma leaves one unprepared for the consequences described in Yama’s domain.
Live with mortality in mind: follow ethical duties, avoid harmful actions, and prioritize righteous conduct so life is not wasted in complacency.