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 ||
بھِرگو نے کہا—سانسیں (پرाण) ہی جیوا کی حقیقت نہیں؛ نہ ‘دَتّ’ (دان) اور نہ ‘کِرت’ (کرم) (آتما) ہیں۔ جاندار دوسرے بدن میں چلا جاتا ہے، اور یہ جسم تو بکھر کر فنا ہو جاتا ہے॥۱۸॥
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.