Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

दीयमानं तु यो मोहाद्गोविप्राग्निसुरेषु च / निवारयति पापात्मा तिर्यग्योनिं व्रजेन्नरः

Transliteration

dīyamānaṃ tu yo mohādgoviprāgnisureṣu ca / nivārayati pāpātmā tiryagyoniṃ vrajennaraḥ

Translation

وأمّا الآثمُ الذي يمنع، عن غفلةٍ وضلال، ما يُعطى للبقر وللبراهمة وللنار المقدّسة وللآلهة، فإنّ ذلك الرجل يذهب إلى رحمٍ حيوانيّ (مولدٍ دونيّ).

Word by Word

• दीयमानम्: (a gift) being given
• दीयमानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दा (धातु) + यमान (शानच्/यमान, कृदन्त) → दीयमान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि वर्तमानकृदन्त; ‘being given’

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (contrastive particle)

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सम्बन्धवाचक सर्वनाम

• मोहात्: out of delusion
• मोहात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/हेतु/अपादान), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थ

• गोविप्राग्निसुरेषु: among cows, Brahmins, fire, and gods
• गोविप्राग्निसुरेषु: Adhikarana (Sphere/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + विप्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास; पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), बहुवचन; ‘among cows, brāhmaṇas, fire, and gods’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• निवारयति: prevents/obstructs
• निवारयति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + वॄ (धातु) / वॄञ् (to restrain)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• पापात्मा: a sinful-souled person
• पापात्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘one whose self is sinful’

• तिर्यग्योनिम्: an animal birth
• तिर्यग्योनिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिर्यक् (प्रातिपदिक) + योनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘animal womb/birth’

• व्रजेत्: would go/should go (i.e., goes)
• व्रजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (सम्भावना/आज्ञा), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• नरः: a man
• नरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Obstructing offerings to sacred recipients generates severe demerit leading to subhuman rebirth (tiryag-yoni).

Vedantic Theme: Adharma born of moha binds the jīva to lower births; ethical action supports upward evolution of consciousness.

Application: Do not hinder others’ charity or religious duties; cultivate respect for sacred institutions and for those who sustain learning and worship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: rebirth in lower yonis as karma-phala (general); Garuda Purana: condemnation of adharma that blocks dharma acts (general)

Characters & Entities

• Cows (Go)
• Brahmins (Vipra)
• Agni (sacred fire)
• Devas (Suras)

FAQs

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

This verse treats dana as a protected dharmic act: obstructing gifts meant for cows, Brahmins, Agni, and the Devas is counted as a serious fault that leads to degraded rebirth.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It links intention and action to rebirth: deluded interference in sacred giving creates negative karma that pulls the soul toward a subhuman (tiryag-yoni) embodiment.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not block or discourage sincere charitable or religious offerings; instead, support ethical giving and respectful completion of vows, rituals, and donations.