Chapter IX · Śloka 21
ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालं
क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्यलोकं विशन्ति ।
एवं त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्ना
गतागतं कामकामा लभन्ते ॥
क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्यलोकं विशन्ति ।
एवं त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्ना
गतागतं कामकामा लभन्ते ॥
te taṃ bhuktvā svarga-lokaṃ viśālaṃ
kṣīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṃ viśanti |
evaṃ trayī-dharmam anuprapannā
gatāgataṃ kāma-kāmā labhante ||
kṣīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṃ viśanti |
evaṃ trayī-dharmam anuprapannā
gatāgataṃ kāma-kāmā labhante ||
Having enjoyed that vast heavenly world, when their merit is exhausted they re-enter the mortal world. Thus following the dharma of the three Vedas, those who desire desires gain only the cycle of going and returning.
Celestial enjoyment, however sublime, is bounded by the karma that purchased it. When the account is spent, return to mortality is compulsory. Ritual performed for reward is a superior cage, not liberation.