Shloka 8
Arrival at Yama’s cities: Citragupta’s scrutiny, Dharmadhvaja’s gate, and the necessity of dāna
तं दृष्ट्वा भयभीतस्तु हाहेति वदते जनः / कृतं दानं च यैर्मर्त्यैस्तेषां नास्ति भयं क्वचित्
taṃ dṛṣṭvā bhayabhītastu hāheti vadate janaḥ / kṛtaṃ dānaṃ ca yairmartyaisteṣāṃ nāsti bhayaṃ kvacit
اسے دیکھ کر لوگ خوف زدہ ہو کر ‘ہائے ہائے’ پکار اٹھتے ہیں۔ مگر جن فانیوں نے دان کیا ہے، انہیں اس راہ میں کہیں بھی خوف نہیں ہوتا۔
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: दानं अभय-हेतुः; परलोकमार्गे भय-निवारकं पुण्य-बलम्
Vedantic Theme: कर्मयोगः—त्यागेन चित्तशुद्धिः, भय-क्षयः
Application: नियमितं दानं/सेवा (विशेषतः अन्न, वस्त्र, औषध) कृत्वा ‘fear of consequences’ इत्यस्य स्थानं ‘ethical confidence’ इत्यनेन पूरयेत्
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: pathway/encounter point
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: दान-प्रकरण; अभय-दान/अन्न-दान-फल; Garuda Purana: यमदर्शन-भय-वर्णन
FAQs
This verse states that charity performed in life becomes a source of protection, removing fear for the soul on the frightening post-death path.
It implies that the after-death journey contains terrifying encounters that make people cry out, yet meritorious acts like dāna create fearlessness and support during that passage.
Practice regular, sincere giving and ethical generosity; the text presents dāna as a lasting spiritual asset that strengthens courage and reduces suffering in transitions, including death.