Shloka 8
Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-Release Gift): Procedure, Merit, and Narratives on Dharma, Karma, and Liberation
राजोवाच / मुने मया कृतो धर्मो यथाशक्ति प्रयत्नतः / यमस्य शासनं श्रुत्वा बिभेमि नितरां हृदि
rājovāca / mune mayā kṛto dharmo yathāśakti prayatnataḥ / yamasya śāsanaṃ śrutvā bibhemi nitarāṃ hṛdi
بادشاہ نے کہا— اے مُنی! میں نے اپنی بساط کے مطابق کوشش کے ساتھ دھرم کا آچرن کیا ہے؛ پھر بھی یم کے شاسن (سزا کے احکام) سن کر میرے دل میں نہایت خوف پیدا ہوتا ہے۔
The King (Raja)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Even practiced dharma does not remove fear if one lacks clarity about karmic adjudication and the subtlety of moral law.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala and daiva-vidhi; the need for viveka beyond self-justification.
Application: Cultivate honest self-audit, seek scriptural guidance/wise counsel, and strengthen dharma with humility rather than complacency.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: Yama-dharma, yamaduta descriptions, naraka catalogues (contextual parallels); Garuda Purana Shraddha/Preta sections: fear of post-mortem consequences as motivation for rites
FAQs
In this verse, Yama’s śāsana signifies the binding moral law that enforces karmic results; even a dharma-practicing person becomes vigilant when reminded that consequences are precise and unavoidable.
By highlighting fear upon hearing Yama’s ordinances, the verse frames the after-death journey as governed by ethical accountability—where one’s deeds are assessed under Yama’s jurisdiction in the Preta-kanda narrative.
Practice dharma consistently within your capacity, but do not become complacent—use awareness of consequences to refine conduct, repentance, and disciplined living.