Shloka 47
Dāna for the Preta: Supreme Gifts, Yama’s Pacification, and Viṣṇu-Smaraṇa at the Time of Death
धर्मे मतिमहं दद्यामधर्मे ऽप्यहमेव च / यातनां कुरुते सो ऽपि धर्मे मुक्तिं ददाम्यहम्
dharme matimahaṃ dadyāmadharme 'pyahameva ca / yātanāṃ kurute so 'pi dharme muktiṃ dadāmyaham
“Akulah yang menganugerahkan pengertian yang condong kepada dharma, dan akulah juga yang membenarkan kecenderungan kepada adharma. Dia pun melaksanakan siksaan terhadap yang berdosa; namun melalui dharma, akulah yang mengurniakan mokṣa, pembebasan.”
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Preta Kanda discourse)
Concept: Īśvara as the ultimate regulator of moral inclination and dispenser of consequences; dharma becomes the channel for mukti granted by the divine.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha (grace) alongside karma; dharma as purifier leading toward liberation.
Application: Hold responsibility with humility: pray for right inclination (sumati), practice dharma steadily, and accept consequences as corrective rather than arbitrary.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.30.46 (karma and inclination); Garuda Purana 2.30.48 (Vaitarani crossing; reaching Vishnuloka)
FAQs
The verse states that dharma is the decisive path by which liberation is granted; dharma-oriented understanding is ultimately bestowed by the Supreme, and moksha is given through adherence to dharma.
It distinguishes the administration of torment for wrongdoing from the bestowal of liberation: punishments occur for adharma, while liberation is granted through dharma, both operating under the Supreme’s overarching governance.
Cultivate dharmic discernment—truthfulness, restraint, compassion, and duty—so actions do not lead to suffering; consistent righteous living is presented as the sure route toward inner freedom and ultimate liberation.