Shloka 9
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and Dāna as the Soul’s True Companion on the Path to Yama
क्षत्त्रान्वयो वापि विशोन्वयो वा शूद्रान्वयो वापि हि नीचवर्णः / संग्रामदेवद्विजबालघाती स्त्रीवृद्धहा दीनतपस्विहन्ता
kṣattrānvayo vāpi viśonvayo vā śūdrānvayo vāpi hi nīcavarṇaḥ / saṃgrāmadevadvijabālaghātī strīvṛddhahā dīnatapasvihantā
ไม่ว่าเขาจะเกิดในวงศ์กษัตริย์ วงศ์แพศย์ หรือแม้แต่วงศ์ศูทร—หากเป็นผู้ฆ่าในสนามรบ ฆ่าผู้ภักดีต่อเทพ ฆ่าพราหมณ์และเด็ก ฆ่าหญิงและคนชรา และฆ่าผู้ยากไร้กับนักบำเพ็ญตบะ ผู้นั้นย่อมถูกนับว่าเป็นผู้ประพฤติต่ำทราม
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Conduct (ācāra) overrides birth; certain killings (of brahmins, children, women, elderly, helpless, ascetics, and the devout) mark one as ‘low’ through adharma.
Vedantic Theme: Karma and adhikara: actions shape one’s moral-spiritual status more than lineage; tamasic/rajasic violence obscures sattva and right discernment.
Application: Adopt non-violence toward protected persons; uphold rules of righteous warfare; cultivate restraint and protection of the vulnerable and religious persons.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/Dharmakanda sections on mahāpātakas and naraka results for brahma-hatyā, strī-hatyā, bāla-hatyā, vṛddha-hatyā; Garuda Purana passages on kṣātra-dharma and limits of violence
FAQs
It states that status by birth does not protect one from moral downfall—grave violence (killing the vulnerable and the righteous) makes a person ‘low’ by conduct and invites karmic consequences.
The verse functions as a moral classification of severe sins that are weighed in Yama’s domain, emphasizing that harmful acts—especially against protected groups like women, children, elders, and ascetics—carry heavy repercussions after death.
Measure character by actions, not identity; cultivate non-violence, protect the vulnerable, and avoid cruelty—these are core dharmic safeguards against destructive karma.