Shloka 30
Preta-Mokṣa Upāya: Svapna-Lakṣaṇa, Pitṛ-Doṣa, and Prescribed Rites
Kṛṣṇa-bali & Nārāyaṇa-bali
शरीरमेव जन्तूनां स्वर्गमोक्षैकसाधनम् / देहो दत्तो हि येनैवं को ऽन्यः पूज्यतमस्ततः
śarīrameva jantūnāṃ svargamokṣaikasādhanam / deho datto hi yenaivaṃ ko 'nyaḥ pūjyatamastataḥ
జీవులకు దేహమే స్వర్గ-మోక్షాలను సాధించే ఏకైక సాధనం. ఈ దేహాన్ని ఇచ్చినవాడికంటే మరెవరు అత్యంత పూజ్యులు?
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: The body is the sole instrument for attaining svarga and mokṣa; therefore the giver of the body (primarily parents, especially father in context) is supremely worthy of worship.
Vedantic Theme: Deha as sādhanā-kṣetra; human birth as a rare opportunity; gratitude to nimitta causes while aiming at puruṣārthas, including mokṣa.
Application: Protect and use the body ethically for sādhanā (dharma, japa, study, service); honor parents as enablers of spiritual pursuit.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana teachings on human birth as rare and on duties enabling good gati; Neighboring verses on parents as daivata and on post-mortem enjoyment of dāna
FAQs
This verse states that the body is the sole instrument through which a being can practice dharma and pursue both svarga (heavenly merit) and moksha (liberation).
It implies that spiritual progress depends on embodied life: only with a body can one perform actions, disciplines, and worship that shape the soul’s post-death trajectory toward higher realms or liberation.
Treat the body as a sacred vehicle: live ethically, maintain health, and use embodied life for sadhana—study, charity, self-control, and devotion.