Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 25
Yamamārga, Antyeṣṭi-vidhi, and Daśāhika Piṇḍa-dāna
Road to Yama and Ten-Day Offerings
को गर्वः क्रियते तार्क्ष्य क्षणविध्वंसिभिर्नरैः / दानं वित्तादृता वाचः कीर्तिधर्मौ तथायुषः
ko garvaḥ kriyate tārkṣya kṣaṇavidhvaṃsibhirnaraiḥ / dānaṃ vittādṛtā vācaḥ kīrtidharmau tathāyuṣaḥ
ஹே தார்க்ஷ்யா (கருடா)! கணநேரத்தில் அழியும் மனிதர்கள் எதற்காக அகந்தை கொள்வர்? செல்வம் தானத்திற்கே; வாக்கை காக்க வேண்டும் (சத்தியமும் கட்டுப்பாடும்); மேலும் புகழ், தர்மம், ஆயுளும் நிலையற்றவை.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instructing Garuda/Tārkṣya)
Concept: Since life is moment-fragile, pride is irrational; wealth should be used for dāna, speech should be restrained/truthful, and one should uphold dharma while time remains.
Vedantic Theme: Anityatā leading to vairāgya and right action; karma-yoga orientation—using resources without ego.
Application: Practice regular charity; adopt mindful speech (truthful, non-harmful); set priorities around dharma and service rather than status.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: didactic discourse
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring exhortations to dāna, satya-vāk, and mṛtyu-smṛti in dharma-oriented passages (general parallel)
FAQs
This verse uses the certainty of sudden destruction (kṣaṇa-vidhvaṁsa) to dismantle pride and redirect life toward dharma—especially giving, truthful speech, and conduct that outlasts the body.
By stressing that life, fame, and worldly status end quickly, it encourages merit-producing actions (dāna, dharma, truthful restraint) that are treated in the Preta Kanda as supportive for the departed and beneficial for the next journey.
Live with urgency and humility: practice regular charity from your earnings, speak carefully and truthfully, and prioritize dharma over status—because lifespan and reputation can vanish without warning.