Shloka 27
Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules
लब्धेनैव च देहेन भुङ्क्ते सुकृतदुष्कृते / वायुरूपो भ्रमत्येव वायुरूर्ध्वं स गच्छति
labdhenaiva ca dehena bhuṅkte sukṛtaduṣkṛte / vāyurūpo bhramatyeva vāyurūrdhvaṃ sa gacchati
ด้วยกายที่ตนได้รับนี้เอง สัตว์ย่อมเสวยทั้งบุญและบาป ครั้นแปรเป็นรูปดุจลมก็เร่ร่อน และดุจลมย่อมเคลื่อนไปสู่เบื้องบน (สู่การเดินทางต่อไป)
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Embodied experience is the field where puṇya and pāpa are tasted; the jīva assumes a subtle, wind-like mode in transition.
Vedantic Theme: Sūkṣma-śarīra and saṃskāra-driven motion; karma as the driver of experiential states across embodiments.
Application: Cultivate puṇya and reduce pāpa now, recognizing continuity of consequences; support the departed through proper rites while reflecting on impermanence.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: subtle transit space (between worlds)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: descriptions of preta’s subtle body, wandering, and onward movement under karmic compulsion
FAQs
It indicates the post-death, subtle mode of existence: the jīva is not operating through the gross body, but moves and wanders with a light, mobile, vāyu-like subtle embodiment while karma continues to bear results.
It states that the being experiences the fruits of both merit and sin through the body it has obtained, and that its movement is restless and wind-like—suggesting onward travel in the after-death journey as described in the Preta Kanda narrative.
Live with awareness that actions have consequences (sukṛta/duṣkṛta). Prioritize dharma, charity, and restraint, since the tradition teaches that karmic results follow the jīva beyond the moment of death.