Dāna–Tapaḥ Praśaṃsā and Gṛhastha-Upadeśa
Maitreya
उपपसद्यति धर्मज्ञ यथापापफलोपगम् । तस्मान्मृत्युभयात् कीट मा व्यथिष्ठा: कथंचन
upapasadyati dharmajña yathāpāpaphalopagam | tasmān mṛtyubhayāt kīṭa mā vyathiṣṭhāḥ kathaṃcana ||
ఓ ధర్మజ్ఞా! పాపఫలం కర్మానుసారంగా తగిన సమయంలో తప్పక చేరుతుంది. కనుక, ఓ కీటా! మరణభయంతో ఏ విధంగానూ వ్యథపడకుము.
व्यास उवाच
The verse emphasizes moral causality: the fruits of wrongdoing inevitably arrive in accordance with one’s actions, so one should not be overwhelmed by fear of death but face outcomes with steadiness and ethical clarity.
Vyāsa addresses someone he calls a 'knower of dharma' while also using the humbling address 'worm,' urging the listener not to panic about death, reminding them that consequences unfold according to one’s deeds.