Shloka 8
Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-Release Gift): Procedure, Merit, and Narratives on Dharma, Karma, and Liberation
राजोवाच / मुने मया कृतो धर्मो यथाशक्ति प्रयत्नतः / यमस्य शासनं श्रुत्वा बिभेमि नितरां हृदि
rājovāca / mune mayā kṛto dharmo yathāśakti prayatnataḥ / yamasya śāsanaṃ śrutvā bibhemi nitarāṃ hṛdi
రాజు పలికెను— ఓ మునీ! నేను యథాశక్తి ప్రయత్నంతో ధర్మాన్ని ఆచరించితిని; అయినా యముని శాసనము (దండవిధానం) విని నా హృదయంలో అత్యంత భయం కలుగుచున్నది.
The King (Raja)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Even practiced dharma does not remove fear if one lacks clarity about karmic adjudication and the subtlety of moral law.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala and daiva-vidhi; the need for viveka beyond self-justification.
Application: Cultivate honest self-audit, seek scriptural guidance/wise counsel, and strengthen dharma with humility rather than complacency.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: Yama-dharma, yamaduta descriptions, naraka catalogues (contextual parallels); Garuda Purana Shraddha/Preta sections: fear of post-mortem consequences as motivation for rites
FAQs
In this verse, Yama’s śāsana signifies the binding moral law that enforces karmic results; even a dharma-practicing person becomes vigilant when reminded that consequences are precise and unavoidable.
By highlighting fear upon hearing Yama’s ordinances, the verse frames the after-death journey as governed by ethical accountability—where one’s deeds are assessed under Yama’s jurisdiction in the Preta-kanda narrative.
Practice dharma consistently within your capacity, but do not become complacent—use awareness of consequences to refine conduct, repentance, and disciplined living.