Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 36
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and Dāna as the Soul’s True Companion on the Path to Yama
न दृश्यते को ऽपि मृतः समागतो राजा यतिर्वा द्विजपुङ्गवो ऽपि वा / यो वै मृतः साहसिकः स मर्त्यको नाशं यो ऽपि धरातले स्थितः
na dṛśyate ko 'pi mṛtaḥ samāgato rājā yatirvā dvijapuṅgavo 'pi vā / yo vai mṛtaḥ sāhasikaḥ sa martyako nāśaṃ yo 'pi dharātale sthitaḥ
Chưa từng thấy ai đã chết mà trở lại—dù là vua, bậc khổ hạnh, hay bậc tối thượng trong hàng nhị sinh. Hễ đã chết—dẫu gan dạ hay quyền thế—cũng chỉ là kẻ phàm hữu tử; và ngay người đang đứng trên mặt đất này cũng đang đi về phía hoại diệt.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, within Preta Kanda discourse)
Concept: Irreversibility of death and the equal vulnerability of all social/spiritual ranks; embodied existence tends toward dissolution.
Vedantic Theme: Mṛtyu as the great equalizer; impetus for mumukṣutva (desire for liberation) and right living.
Application: Live with urgency: practice dharma and devotion now; reduce arrogance of rank; prepare mind through remembrance of death.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: motifs of ‘none return from death’ and the inevitability of decay (contextual across Pretakalpa teachings)
FAQs
This verse stresses that no status—king, ascetic, or learned dvija—can reverse death, so one should prioritize dharma and right conduct before the body perishes.
By stating that none who die are seen returning, it underlines the finality of bodily death and supports the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that the jīva proceeds onward to post-death states according to karma rather than reappearing in the same life.
Live with urgency for dharma—reduce harmful actions, perform duties and remembrance of the divine, and plan responsibly for end-of-life rites and ethical legacy, since worldly power cannot prevent dissolution.