Shloka 13
Babhruvāhana Meets a Preta: Vṛṣotsarga, Heirless Death, and the Signs of Preta-Affliction
मृगस्य कस्यचित्कुक्षिं ततो विव्याध भूमिपः / राजा मृगप्रसङ्गेन तमनु प्राविशद्वनम्
mṛgasya kasyacitkukṣiṃ tato vivyādha bhūmipaḥ / rājā mṛgaprasaṅgena tamanu prāviśadvanam
मृगस्य कस्यचित्कुक्षिं ततो विव्याध भूमिपः। राजा मृगप्रसङ्गेन तमनु प्राविशद्वनम्॥
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Prasaṅga (entanglement) with an object of pursuit intensifies bondage; a single act (wounding) can propel a chain of consequences.
Vedantic Theme: Saṅkalpa → karma → vāsanā reinforcement; the mind follows its object and loses svātantrya (inner freedom).
Application: Interrupt compulsive loops early; after causing harm, stop escalation and choose repair over chase.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: deep forest
Related Themes: Garuda Purana moral causality: small initial papa leading to larger downfall is a recurring narrative logic (thematic)
FAQs
This verse shows how a moment of fixation—here, the deer-chase—pulls a ruler away from discernment and duty, setting the stage for karmic consequences described later in the narrative.
Indirectly: it introduces the causal chain (action and impulse) that later determines suffering or progress after death; the Garuda Purana repeatedly frames afterlife outcomes as rooted in choices made while living.
Maintain self-restraint when emotions or pursuits escalate; pause before acting from obsession, because small lapses in judgment can lead to larger harm and long-term consequences.