Shloka 14
Jīva-yonis (84 Lakhs), Rarity of Human Birth, Sense-Restraint, Craving, and Śraddhā-based Dharma
चक्रधरो ऽपि सुरत्वं सुरभावे सकलसुरपतिर्भवितुम् / सुरपतिरूर्ध्वगतित्वं तथापि ननिवर्तते तृष्णा
cakradharo 'pi suratvaṃ surabhāve sakalasurapatirbhavitum / surapatirūrdhvagatitvaṃ tathāpi nanivartate tṛṣṇā
แม้ผู้ทรงจักรก็อาจบรรลุภาวะเทพ และด้วยอุปนิสัยทิพย์ใฝ่เป็นจอมแห่งเทพทั้งปวง. ครั้นเป็นจอมเทพแล้วก็ยังมุ่งสู่ภูมิที่สูงยิ่งขึ้นไป—แต่ตัณหาก็มิได้สิ้นลงเลย.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)
Concept: Craving persists across status and realms; only inner transformation ends it, not external elevation.
Vedantic Theme: Saṃsāra persists through vāsanā/tṛṣṇā; lokāntara-gati is not mokṣa; need for vairāgya and ātma-niṣṭhā.
Application: Do not equate promotion, fame, or even ‘spiritual rank’ with freedom; practice detachment and self-inquiry alongside devotion.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: celestial hierarchy
Related Themes: Garuda Purana discussions distinguishing svarga from mokṣa and warning against desire-driven merit-seeking; Nearby contrast of naraka vs svarga outcomes tied to tṛṣṇā (2.12.15)
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that craving is not solved by status, power, or even heavenly ascent; it must be addressed through inner transformation and detachment aligned with dharma.
It implies that rising to superior worlds is still within the cycle of desire; without uprooting tṛṣṇā, the soul remains bound to continued striving and return, rather than attaining true release.
Treat achievement and recognition as temporary; practice restraint, charity, and disciplined living to weaken craving—so spiritual progress is measured by reduced attachment, not higher “rank.”