Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 51
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
द्रव्यसूक्ष्मविपाकश्च धूमो रात्रिरपक्षय: । अयनं दक्षिणं सोमो दर्श ओषधिवीरुध: ॥ ५० ॥ अन्नं रेत इति क्ष्मेश पितृयानं पुनर्भव: । एकैकश्येनानुपूर्वं भूत्वा भूत्वेह जायते ॥ ५१ ॥
dravya-sūkṣma-vipākaś ca dhūmo rātrir apakṣayaḥ ayanaṁ dakṣiṇaṁ somo darśa oṣadhi-vīrudhaḥ
Wahai Raja Yudhiṣṭhira, apabila ghee dan bijirin seperti barli serta bijan dipersembahkan sebagai ahuti dalam yajña, hasil halusnya berubah menjadi asap surgawi yang membawa pelakunya beransur-ansur melalui alam Dhūma, Rātri, Kṛṣṇapakṣa, Dakṣiṇāyana dan akhirnya ke bulan. Namun kemudian mereka turun semula ke bumi menjadi herba, menjalar, sayur-sayuran dan bijirin; ia dimakan, berubah menjadi mani, disalurkan ke tubuh wanita, lalu terjadilah kelahiran berulang-ulang.
This is explained in Bhagavad-gītā (9.21) :
FAQs
This verse outlines a karmic post-death progression through smoke, night, the dark fortnight, the sun’s southern course, the moon, and then into vegetation—indicating a return toward rebirth rather than liberation.
Parīkṣit was hearing essential teachings before death; Śukadeva explains karmic routes like pitṛyāna to show how material piety still leads to rebirth, encouraging exclusive devotion for liberation.
Do not rely only on ritual merit or worldly virtue; cultivate bhakti and detachment so one’s consciousness aims for liberation rather than cyclical return.