Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

वारिदस्तृप्तिमाप्नोति सुखमक्षय्यमन्नदः / तिलप्रदः प्रजामिष्टां दीपदश्चक्षुरुत्तमम्

Transliteration

vāridastṛptimāpnoti sukhamakṣayyamannadaḥ / tilapradaḥ prajāmiṣṭāṃ dīpadaścakṣuruttamam

Translation

مَن يهب الماء ينل القناعة؛ ومَن يهب الطعام ينل سعادة لا تزول. ومَن يهب السِّمسم ينل الذرية المرجوّة؛ ومَن يهب السراج ينل بصراً رفيعاً.

Word by Word

• वारि-दः: giver of water
• वारि-दः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वारि (प्रातिपदिक) + द (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; दा धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (वारि ददाति इति)

• तृप्तिम्: satisfaction
• तृप्तिम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृप्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आप्नोति: attains
• आप्नोति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present Indicative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अक्षय्यम्: imperishable
• अक्षय्यम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ (नञ्) + क्षय्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying सुखम्)

• अन्न-दः: giver of food
• अन्न-दः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + द (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; दा धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (अन्नं ददाति इति)

• तिल-प्रदः: giver of sesame
• तिल-प्रदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रद (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; प्र+दा धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (तिलान् प्रददाति इति)

• प्रजाम्: offspring/progeny
• प्रजाम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• इष्टाम्: desired, cherished
• इष्टाम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; इष् धातु, क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying प्रजाम्)

• दीप-दः: giver of a lamp
• दीप-दः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + द (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; दा धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (दीपं ददाति इति)

• चक्षुः: sight/eye
• चक्षुः: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उत्तमम्: excellent, best
• उत्तमम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying चक्षुः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dana yields corresponding phala: water→contentment, food→imperishable happiness, sesame→desired progeny, lamp→excellent eyesight.

Vedantic Theme: Purification of mind (chitta-shuddhi) through selfless giving; karma-phala as moral order supporting spiritual progress.

Application: Practice targeted charity: provide drinking water, feed the hungry, offer sesame in rites/charity, donate lamps/lighting for public good.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.51.23-24 (expanded dana-phala list)

FAQs

What is the importance of dāna (charity) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents dāna as a direct cause of specific karmic results—inner contentment, lasting happiness, desired progeny, and clarity of vision—showing charity as a practical dharmic means to generate puṇya.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul through karma?

It links intentional actions (giving water, food, sesame, and light) to corresponding fruits, illustrating the Garuda Purana’s karmic principle that deeds shape one’s well-being and future outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Support water access, feed those in need, offer sesame in appropriate ritual/charity contexts, and donate lighting/education resources—treating giving as a disciplined dharmic habit rather than occasional charity.