Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
भृगुरुवाच । न प्राणाः सन्ति जीवस्य दत्तस्य च कृतस्य च । याति देहांतरं प्राणी शरीरं तु विशीर्यते ॥ १८ ॥
bhṛguruvāca | na prāṇāḥ santi jīvasya dattasya ca kṛtasya ca | yāti dehāṃtaraṃ prāṇī śarīraṃ tu viśīryate || 18 ||
ภฤคุกล่าวว่า: ลมหายใจชีวิต (ปราณะ) มิใช่ตัวตนแท้ของชีวะ และมิใช่ทั้ง ‘สิ่งที่ให้’ (ทาน) หรือ ‘สิ่งที่ทำ’ (กรรม) สัตว์ผู้มีชีวิตย่อมไปสู่กายอื่น ส่วนกายนี้ย่อมเสื่อมสลายแตกดับ॥๑๘॥
Sage Bhṛgu
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
It distinguishes the imperishable jīva from prāṇa (life-force), actions (kṛta), and gifts/merit (datta), emphasizing that the soul transmigrates while the body disintegrates—supporting a moksha-centered view of identity beyond the physical.
By loosening identification with body and life-breath, the verse prepares the seeker to take refuge in the eternal reality (often expressed in the Purana through devotion to Viṣṇu/Nārāyaṇa), making bhakti a stable practice not dependent on bodily conditions.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; it is primarily Vedānta-style moksha instruction clarifying categories—body (śarīra), life-force (prāṇa), and karma (kṛta/datta)—to guide right understanding and detachment.