Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 34
Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva
पात्रं त्वत्र निरुक्तं वै कविभि: पात्रवित्तमै: । हरिरेवैक उर्वीश यन्मयं वै चराचरम् ॥ ३४ ॥
pātraṁ tv atra niruktaṁ vai kavibhiḥ pātra-vittamaiḥ harir evaika urvīśa yan-mayaṁ vai carācaram
يا ملك الأرض، لقد قرّر الحكماء الأعلمون بمن يستحقّ العطاء أنّ أفضل مَن يُعطى هو وحده الربّ هَري، شري كريشنا، الذي تقوم فيه كلّ الموجودات المتحرّكة والساكنة، ومنه يصدر كلّ شيء؛ فإليه ينبغي أن تُقدَّم جميع العطايا.
Whenever we perform some religious act in terms of dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa, we must perform it according to the time, place and person ( kāla, deśa, pātra ). Nārada Muni has already described the deśa (place) and kāla (time). The kāla has been described in verses twenty through twenty-four, beginning with the words ayane viṣuve kuryād vyatīpāte dina-kṣaye. And the places for giving charity or performing ritualistic ceremonies have been described in verses thirty through thirty-three, beginning with sarāṁsi puṣkarādīni kṣetrāṇy arhāśritāny uta. Now, to whom everything must be given is decided in this verse. Harir evaika urvīśa yan-mayaṁ vai carācaram. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is the root of everything, and therefore He is the best pātra, or person, to whom everything must be given. In Bhagavad-gītā (5.29) it is said:
FAQs
This verse says the ultimate and truly worthy recipient is Hari (Lord Viṣṇu) alone, because all living and nonliving beings are pervaded by Him.
Prahlada was instructing Yudhishthira on ideal household life and charity, emphasizing that offerings become perfect when centered on the Supreme Lord, the indwelling reality of all.
Give and serve with the consciousness that your offering is ultimately meant for the Lord—support devotional service, offer food and resources in a God-centered way, and respect all beings as connected to Hari.