Shloka 7
Adhyāya 60: Dāna vs. Yajña—Royal Giving, Protection, and Karmic Share
रहस्यमद्भुतं चैव शृणु वक्ष्यामि यत् त्वयि । या गति: प्राप्यते येन प्रेत्यभावे विशाम्पते
rahasyam adbhutaṃ caiva śṛṇu vakṣyāmi yat tvayi | yā gatiḥ prāpyate yena pretyabhāve viśāmpate ||
வைசம்பாயனர் கூறினார்— மக்கள்தலைவனே! கேள்; உனக்கு ஒரு அதிசயமான இரகசியத்தைச் சொல்கிறேன். மரணத்திற்குப் பின் எந்தக் கருமத்தால் மனிதன் எந்தக் கதியை அடைகிறான்—அதை கேள்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse introduces an esoteric ethical doctrine: specific actions (karma) lead to specific post-death destinies (gati). It frames the discussion as a ‘wondrous secret’ meant to guide conduct by linking moral causality with outcomes beyond this life.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a ruler (viśāmpati) and signals the start of an instructive section. He invites the listener to hear a confidential teaching explaining how different deeds determine the state one reaches after death.