Shloka 19

Dāna-dharma: Threefold Classification, Right Recipients, Auspicious Timing, and Fruits of Gifts

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मवर्चसकामस्तु ब्राह्मणान्ब्रह्मनिश्चयात् / आरोग्यकामो ऽथ रविं धनकामो हुताशनम्

Transliteration

brahmavarcasakāmastu brāhmaṇānbrahmaniścayāt / ārogyakāmo 'tha raviṃ dhanakāmo hutāśanam

Translation

مَن يبتغي بهاءَ المعرفة المقدّسة وإشراقها الروحي فليُكرم البراهمة بيقينٍ راسخٍ في براهْمان. ومَن يبتغي العافية فليعبد الشمس؛ ومَن يبتغي الغنى فليعبد النار (أغني).

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मवर्चसकामः: desiring spiritual radiance/vedic lustre
• ब्रह्मवर्चसकामः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मवर्चस् + काम (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मवर्चसः कामः)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (particle; contrast/emphasis)

• ब्राह्मणान्: Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्

• ब्रह्मनिश्चयात्: from/through conviction in Brahman (firm resolve)
• ब्रह्मनिश्चयात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म + निश्चय (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, पञ्चमी (Ablative), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मणः निश्चयः)

• आरोग्यकामः: desiring health
• आरोग्यकामः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आरोग्य + काम (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (आरोग्यस्य कामः)

• अथ: then/and
• अथ: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्ययम् (conj./particle: then/and)

• रविम्: the Sun (Ravi)
• रविम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रवि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्

• धनकामः: desiring wealth
• धनकामः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन + काम (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (धनस्य कामः)

• हुताशनम्: Fire (Agni)
• हुताशनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हुत + अशन् (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; बहुव्रीहिः (हुतं अश्नाति इति—‘one who consumes offerings’)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Mixed

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Desired fruits correspond to appropriate devatā-upāsanā and dharmic supports: brahmavarcas via honoring brāhmaṇas with Brahman-conviction; health via Sun; wealth via Fire.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra and saṅkalpa in karma: aligning means with ends; brahmavarcas implies sattva and proximity to Brahman through reverence for knowledge.

Application: For learning/spiritual brilliance: serve and honor genuine teachers and cultivate Brahman-oriented study; for health: daily Sūrya practices (arghya, gāyatrī, disciplined routine); for wealth: maintain sacredness of Agni—honest livelihood, offerings, and disciplined consumption.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic-deity loci / ritual focus

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: lists of devatā-specific upāsanā for particular boons; emphasis on brāhmaṇa-sevā for brahmavarcas

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇas
• Ravi (Sūrya)
• Hutāśana (Agni)
• Brahman

FAQs

What is the importance of brahmavarcas (spiritual radiance) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links brahmavarcas to honoring Brahmins with firm conviction in Brahman, presenting spiritual brilliance as a fruit of reverence, right intention, and dharmic association.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Rather than describing the after-death journey, it gives a living dharma-practice: cultivating merit and purity through proper worship and honoring the virtuous—foundational for a favorable spiritual trajectory.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Support learned and ethical teachers, practice Sūrya-oriented health disciplines (e.g., sunrise prayers), and maintain sacred-fire/Agni principles—offerings, gratitude, and disciplined livelihood—to align desires with dharma.