Shloka 83
Post-cremation Ripening of Karma and the Principal Narakas
मानुष्यं प्राप्यते कुब्जो कुत्सितो वामनो ऽपि वा / चण्डालपुक्कसाद्यासु नरयोनिषु जायते
mānuṣyaṃ prāpyate kubjo kutsito vāmano 'pi vā / caṇḍālapukkasādyāsu narayoniṣu jāyate
انسانی جنم پا کر بھی کوئی کبڑا، ذلیل یا بونا ہو کر پیدا ہوتا ہے؛ یا چنڈال، پُکّس وغیرہ جیسی نر یونیوں میں جنم لیتا ہے۔
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Even within human birth, karmic residues shape bodily conditions and birth among marginalized groups.
Vedantic Theme: Saṃsāra under karma; the jīva’s embodiment is upādhi-driven, not the Self’s nature.
Application: Cultivate ethical conduct and devotion to reduce harmful karmic residues; practice compassion and non-contempt toward all embodied beings.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Type: womb/birth-setting (generic)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: discussions of yonis, karma-phala, and rebirth gradations (adjacent verses in 2.3)
FAQs
This verse states that even gaining a human birth does not guarantee favorable conditions; past karma can manifest as bodily deformity or marginalized social birth, reinforcing ethical accountability.
In the Preta Kanda framework, the soul’s post-death journey culminates in rebirth shaped by accumulated deeds; this verse highlights specific human outcomes that arise from harmful or degrading actions.
Practice dharma—non-harm, truthfulness, charity, and restraint—since the Purana frames present conduct as a direct cause of future life conditions and suffering.