Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 80
An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body
Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā
एवं संसारचक्रे ऽस्मिज्जन्तवो घटयन्त्रवत् / भ्राम्यन्ते प्राक्तनैर्बधैर्बद्धा विध्यन्ति चासकृत्
evaṃ saṃsāracakre 'smijjantavo ghaṭayantravat / bhrāmyante prāktanairbadhairbaddhā vidhyanti cāsakṛt
Vì thế, trong bánh xe luân hồi này, chúng sinh quay cuồng như guồng nước, bị trói buộc bởi xiềng xích của nghiệp xưa, và bị đánh dập hết lần này đến lần khác (bởi khổ đau và quả báo).
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Beings revolve in samsara like a water-wheel, driven and constrained by prior karmic bonds, repeatedly struck by resultant experiences.
Vedantic Theme: Karma as upadhi sustaining samsara; avidya-driven repetition; need for viveka to seek release from cyclic causality.
Application: Contemplate cause-and-effect in one’s habits; reduce binding actions (attachment-driven karma); adopt disciplines that weaken vasanas (japa, dana, seva, meditation).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.32.81 (explicit moksha exhortation following this samsara metaphor)
FAQs
This verse frames saṃsāra as a mechanical, repetitive turning driven by past karma—showing that liberation requires cutting the bonds of previous deeds rather than merely seeking temporary relief.
It indicates that the jīva does not move freely; it is propelled and constrained by prāktana karma, repeatedly encountering pain and consequence, which in the Purana’s narrative connects to post-death experiences and eventual rebirth.
Act with dharma and restraint now—because habits and actions become “bonds” later—while cultivating spiritual disciplines (satkarma, charity, truthfulness, devotion) that reduce harmful karmic momentum.