अदत्त्वा गां च ये मर्त्या म्रियंते द्विजसत्तम । तीर्त्वा हस्तादिभिर्दुर्गा त इमां संतरंति च
adattvā gāṃ ca ye martyā mriyaṃte dvijasattama | tīrtvā hastādibhirdurgā ta imāṃ saṃtaraṃti ca
Wahai yang terbaik antara yang dua kali lahir, para insan yang mati tanpa mendermakan lembu akan menyeberangi (sungai) yang sukar ini dengan tangan sendiri dan seumpamanya, bergelut hingga berhasil menyeberang.
Yama
Type: river (mythic crossing)
Listener: Dvija-sattama / dvija-uttama
Scene: A tormented soul struggles in a dark, turbulent river, clawing forward with hands; on the far side, those aided by a cow’s tail cross calmly, highlighting contrast between merit and neglect.
Dharma practiced through generosity becomes real support; neglecting it makes the soul’s passage arduous.
None; the verse continues the afterlife teaching centered on the Vaitaraṇī river.
Implicitly recommends go-dāna by contrasting ease for donors with hardship for non-donors.