Shloka 14
अत्र जन्मसहस्राणां सहस्रैरपि कोटिभिः / कदाचिल्लभते जन्तुर्मानुष्यं पुण्यसञ्चयात्
atra janmasahasrāṇāṃ sahasrairapi koṭibhiḥ / kadācillabhate janturmānuṣyaṃ puṇyasañcayāt
अत्र संसारचक्रे जन्तुः जन्मसहस्राणां सहस्रैः कोटिभिरपि, पुण्यसञ्चयात् कदाचिन्मानुष्यं दुर्लभं लभते।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Human birth is exceedingly rare, attained only after immense cycles and through accumulated merit.
Vedantic Theme: Punya enables favorable embodiment but does not itself equal liberation; it should be leveraged toward moksha.
Application: Generate merit through dharmic living, but convert opportunity into liberation-oriented practice (jnana/bhakti).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.49.13 (human birth uniquely enables tattva-jnana); Garuda Purana 2.49.12 (jnani attains moksha; merit alone can still bind)
FAQs
This verse stresses that human birth is exceptionally difficult to obtain and arises from accumulated merit, implying it should be used for dharma and liberation-oriented effort rather than wasted in negligence.
By stating that mānuṣya-janma is gained through puṇya-sañcaya, it frames one’s embodiment as karmically conditioned—human life being a key opportunity to shape future destiny and one’s post-death course through righteous action.
Treat human life as a rare chance: cultivate puṇya through truthfulness, charity, service, and disciplined conduct, and orient daily choices toward long-term spiritual welfare rather than short-term indulgence.