Shloka 93
Yamamārga, Antyeṣṭi-vidhi, and Daśāhika Piṇḍa-dāna
Road to Yama and Ten-Day Offerings
मया न भुक्तं पतिसङ्गसौख्यं वह्निप्रवेशो न कृतो मृते सति / तस्मिन्मृते तद्व्रतपालनं वा देहिन्क्वचिन्निस्तर यत्त्वया कृतम्
mayā na bhuktaṃ patisaṅgasaukhyaṃ vahnipraveśo na kṛto mṛte sati / tasminmṛte tadvratapālanaṃ vā dehinkvacinnistara yattvayā kṛtam
“Ta đã không hưởng niềm vui sum họp cùng chồng; khi chàng mất, ta cũng không bước vào lửa. Sau khi chàng qua đời, ta lại chẳng giữ các lời nguyện (vrata) dành cho chàng. Hỡi kẻ mang thân, hãy nói ta nghe—nhờ những điều ngươi đã làm, có sự vượt thoát nào đạt được chăng?”
A deceased woman (preta/ghostly spirit) speaking to an embodied person (dehin), in the Preta Kanda narrative frame narrated by Lord Vishnu to Garuda.
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Householder and widowhood-related vows (vrata) are presented as karmically consequential; the verse interrogates what truly constitutes ‘taraṇa’.
Vedantic Theme: Tension between ritual/social dharma and inner liberation; karma’s role as preparatory rather than ultimate.
Application: Perform one’s appropriate duties with discernment and compassion; avoid harmful extremes; cultivate sincere vrata/niyama aligned with dharma and wellbeing.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: discussions of strī-dharma, vrata, and consequences of omissions (general parallel)
FAQs
This verse highlights that neglected vows and dharmic observances connected to a spouse’s death are remembered and questioned in the afterlife, implying that vrata is treated as a serious moral and ritual responsibility.
By portraying a deceased spirit reflecting on omissions—companionship, extreme acts like entering fire, and post-death vows—the verse shows that the preta-state involves moral reckoning and anxiety about whether any action leads to “nistara” (crossing over).
Focus on lawful, compassionate dharma: perform appropriate śrāddha/rites and ethical duties without harmful extremes, and treat vows and responsibilities toward family and the departed as spiritually consequential.