Devi Bhagavatam 9.30.15 — Devotion & Grace of the Goddess, Skandha 9, Adhyaya 30, Shloka 15

Yama's Description of Karma Vipaka and the Supremacy of Devi Yajna

Devanagari script

करोति गजदानं च यदि विप्राय भारते । यावदिन्द्रो नरस्तावदिन्द्रस्यार्धासने वसेत्

Transliteration

karoti gajadānaṃ ca yadi viprāya bhārate | yāvadindro narastāvadindrasyārdhāsane vaset

Translation

যদি ভারতে কোনো ব্যক্তি ব্রাহ্মণকে হস্তী দান করেন, তবে ইন্দ্র যতদিন বর্তমান, ততদিন তিনি ইন্দ্রের অর্ধাসনে বাস করেন।

Word by Word

• gajadānam: gift of an elephant
• gajadānam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gajadāna
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• bhārate: in Bharatavarsha
• bhārate: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhārata
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• indraḥ: Indra
• indraḥ: Kartā (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indra
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• naraḥ: man
• naraḥ: Kartā (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• ardhāsane: on half the throne
• ardhāsane: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ardhāsana
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• vaset: should dwell
• vaset: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vas
• Form: Potential Mood (Vidhilin), 3rd Person, Singular

Speaker

Yama

Shakti Theology

Devi Form: null

Mahavidya Connection: null

Shakti Manifestation: null

Tattva Discussed: null

Devi Narrative

Demon Antagonist: null

Devi Weapon Used: null

Narrative Source: null

Story Arc Position: null

Tantra Dimension

Mantra Referenced: null

Yantra Referenced: null

Kundalini Element: null

Chakra Referenced: null

Tantric Practice Type: null

Bhakti & Stuti

Stuti Type: null

Recitation Occasion: null

Phala Shruti: Resides on half the throne of Indra as long as Indra exists

Devotee Offering Stuti: null

Cosmic Feminine

Maya Aspect: null

Creation Role: null

Shakti Philosophy: null

Relation To Brahman: null

Vyasa-Janamejaya Dialogue

Narrator: Yama

Listener: Savitri

Dialogue Context: Yama explaining the karmic rewards of charity to Savitri

Narrative Layer: embedded

Ritual Context

Text: Gaja Dana, traditionally performed by Kings (Mahadanas) for temple processions.

Philosophical Significance

Text: The elephant is a symbol of royal power, wealth, and Indra himself (whose mount is Airavata). Gifting it elevates the donor to the status of a celestial king.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana
• Bharata
• Indra

FAQs

What extraordinary reward is given for gifting an elephant?

The giver gets to share half the throne of Lord Indra (the king of gods) for as long as Indra's rule lasts.