Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 9
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and Dāna as the Soul’s True Companion on the Path to Yama
क्षत्त्रान्वयो वापि विशोन्वयो वा शूद्रान्वयो वापि हि नीचवर्णः / संग्रामदेवद्विजबालघाती स्त्रीवृद्धहा दीनतपस्विहन्ता
kṣattrānvayo vāpi viśonvayo vā śūdrānvayo vāpi hi nīcavarṇaḥ / saṃgrāmadevadvijabālaghātī strīvṛddhahā dīnatapasvihantā
即便生于刹帝利、吠舍，乃至首陀罗之族，若沦为杀戮之人，亦被判为行止卑下：在战阵中杀人者，杀害诸天之侍从（或敬神之人）者，屠戮婆罗门与孩童者，杀害妇女与老人者，并击杀贫弱与苦行者。
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Conduct (ācāra) overrides birth; certain killings (of brahmins, children, women, elderly, helpless, ascetics, and the devout) mark one as ‘low’ through adharma.
Vedantic Theme: Karma and adhikara: actions shape one’s moral-spiritual status more than lineage; tamasic/rajasic violence obscures sattva and right discernment.
Application: Adopt non-violence toward protected persons; uphold rules of righteous warfare; cultivate restraint and protection of the vulnerable and religious persons.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/Dharmakanda sections on mahāpātakas and naraka results for brahma-hatyā, strī-hatyā, bāla-hatyā, vṛddha-hatyā; Garuda Purana passages on kṣātra-dharma and limits of violence
FAQs
It states that status by birth does not protect one from moral downfall—grave violence (killing the vulnerable and the righteous) makes a person ‘low’ by conduct and invites karmic consequences.
The verse functions as a moral classification of severe sins that are weighed in Yama’s domain, emphasizing that harmful acts—especially against protected groups like women, children, elders, and ascetics—carry heavy repercussions after death.
Measure character by actions, not identity; cultivate non-violence, protect the vulnerable, and avoid cruelty—these are core dharmic safeguards against destructive karma.