Shloka 6
Dāna-dharma: Threefold Classification, Right Recipients, Auspicious Timing, and Fruits of Gifts
यत्तु पापोपशान्त्यै च दीयते विदुपां करे / नैमित्तिकं तदुद्दिष्टन्दानं सद्भिरनुष्ठितम्
yattu pāpopaśāntyai ca dīyate vidupāṃ kare / naimittikaṃ taduddiṣṭandānaṃ sadbhiranuṣṭhitam
وأما العطاء الذي يُدفع إلى أيدي العلماء خاصةً لتسكين الآثام وإطفائها، فقد أُعلن أنه صدقةٌ «نيمِتِّكَا» (عارضة/مناسبة)، يؤديها الأخيار كعبادةٍ مقرَّرة.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Naimittika-dana: occasional/causal charity performed for sin-pacification, properly directed to the learned, is a prescribed observance of the virtuous.
Vedantic Theme: Karma as purifier (chitta-shuddhi) when aligned with dharma and right recipient; intention and context determine karmic quality.
Application: When seeking atonement, pair inner resolve (avoid repetition) with a dharmic act: donate to qualified teachers/learned persons or institutions of learning, explicitly dedicating it to papa-upashanti.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.51.5-1.51.8: classification of dana by motive (nitya/naimittika/kamya/vimala)
FAQs
This verse defines naimittika dāna as charity done for a specific cause—especially pāpa-śānti (pacifying sins)—and treats it as a righteous, prescribed observance when offered to the learned.
By emphasizing pāpa-śānti through properly directed charity, it implies that ethical and ritual remedies reduce karmic burden, supporting a more favorable post-death course governed by one’s accumulated merits and demerits.
Give intentionally: when seeking moral correction after wrongdoing, offer charity in a focused way—supporting genuine learning, teaching, and dharmic service—rather than giving casually or for display.