Shloka 5
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and Dāna as the Soul’s True Companion on the Path to Yama
गृहीतपाशो रुदते पुनः पुनर्देशे सुपुण्ये द्विज देहसंस्थितः / देवेन्द्रपूजा पितृदेवतृप्तिदं मोहान्न चेष्टं न च पुत्त्रसन्ततिः
gṛhītapāśo rudate punaḥ punardeśe supuṇye dvija dehasaṃsthitaḥ / devendrapūjā pitṛdevatṛptidaṃ mohānna ceṣṭaṃ na ca puttrasantatiḥ
ผู้ถูกบ่วงคล้องย่อมร่ำไห้ครั้งแล้วครั้งเล่า; แม้อยู่ในถิ่นอันเปี่ยมบุญและสถิตในกายทวิชะ (พราหมณ์) ก็ตาม ด้วยโมหะจึงไร้ความเพียรอันควร และไร้สายสกุลบุตร; เพราะฉะนั้นจึงไม่มีการบูชาเทวะ (อินทรา) และไม่มีการยังปิตฤและเทวตาให้พอใจ
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Beneficiary: Pitr
Concept: Even with auspicious circumstances (brāhmaṇa embodiment, meritorious locale), moha leads to neglect of duty—no proper striving, no progeny/continuity, no deva-pūjā, no pitṛ-tarpaṇa—resulting in suffering.
Vedantic Theme: Moha/avidyā as the root of wasted human opportunity; karma requires conscious engagement (pravṛtti and nivṛtti) not mere status.
Application: Use favorable conditions (education, community, resources) for worship, study, service, and responsible family/ancestral duties; counteract moha through daily discipline.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: sacred place/region contrasted with bondage
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated emphasis that neglect of śrāddha/tarpaṇa harms pitṛs and burdens the departed; Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: Yamadūta-pāśa imagery and lamentations of the departing soul
FAQs
This verse links delusion and neglect of proper effort with the failure to satisfy the Pitṛs and deities—implying that ancestral offerings (śrāddha/tarpaṇa) are a key dharmic support for the departed and for maintaining ritual continuity.
By describing a being “seized by the noose” and repeatedly weeping, the verse evokes the post-death vulnerability associated with Yama’s jurisdiction; it also stresses that spiritual merit alone (a ‘holy place’ or ‘good birth’) is not enough if dharma and rites are neglected through moha.
Avoid complacency: combine ethical living with regular worship and remembrance of ancestors (simple tarpaṇa/śrāddha as per one’s tradition), and cultivate clarity to overcome moha so duties are not postponed.