Shloka 7
Ruci and the Pitṛs: On Marriage, Debts (Ṛṇa), and Desireless Karma
स त्त्वं दैवादृणाद्वन्धमिममस्मदृणादपि / अवाप्तो ऽसि मनुष्यर्षे भूतेभ्यश्च दिनेदिने
sa ttvaṃ daivādṛṇādvandhamimamasmadṛṇādapi / avāpto 'si manuṣyarṣe bhūtebhyaśca dinedine
तस्मात् हे मनुष्यर्षे, त्वं दैवऋणात् अस्मदृणात् अपि तथा भूतेभ्यः प्रतिदिनं ऋणात् च, एतस्मिन् बन्धे प्राप्तोऽसि।
Lord Vishnu
Beneficiary: Pitr
Concept: ṛṇa-traya: debts to Devas, Ṛṣis/Pitṛs, and Bhūtas that bind embodied life until duly discharged.
Vedantic Theme: Kartṛtva-bhāva and saṃsāra-bandha: worldly identity is structured by obligations; purification comes through niṣkāma-karma and right living.
Application: Maintain daily/seasonal duties: deva-yajña (worship/offerings), pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha as appropriate, and compassion/service toward living beings; cultivate awareness of obligations without egoism.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta-kalpa/Dharma sections): discussions on śrāddha, pitṛ-ṛṇa, and duties of householders; Garuda Purana: teachings on karma-bandha and niṣkāma conduct
FAQs
This verse frames human life as bound by obligatory debts—toward the gods, revered authorities (sages/elders/ancestors), and living beings—implying that dharmic living means consciously discharging these duties.
It presents bondage not only as abstract karma but as concrete, ongoing obligations (ṛṇa) that arise by virtue of being born and sustained—creating daily responsibility that must be fulfilled through right conduct and prescribed duties.
Live as a responsible steward: maintain worship/gratitude (deva-ṛṇa), study/serve teachers and elders and honor lineage (ṛṣi/pitṛ-related duty), and practice compassion and non-harm with generosity toward all beings (bhūta-ṛṇa).