Shloka 88
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
कलौ नृणां तस्य लाभो दुर्लभः संस्मृतो भुवि / दानं च सुतरां देवि दर्लभं किं वदामि ते
kalau nṛṇāṃ tasya lābho durlabhaḥ saṃsmṛto bhuvi / dānaṃ ca sutarāṃ devi darlabhaṃ kiṃ vadāmi te
কলিযুগে মানুষের পক্ষে সেই লাভ পৃথিবীতে দুর্লভ বলে স্মৃতিতে বলা হয়েছে। আর দান তো, হে দেবী, আরও অধিক দুর্লভ—আমি তোমাকে আর কী বলি?
Lord Vishnu (narrating/teaching)
Concept: In Kali-yuga, genuine attainment of spiritual good and especially charity (dana) becomes rare; therefore one must be vigilant and intentional.
Vedantic Theme: Kali-yuga as a time of diminished sattva; deliberate dharmic action supports purification (chitta-shuddhi) and readiness for bhakti/jnana.
Application: Set fixed, sustainable dana (time/food/money/skills) and protect it from procrastination; prioritize sattvic giving without expectation.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cosmic plane
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Kali-yuga dharma decline motifs (general); Garuda Purana: dana-mahatmya and vrata discussions (general)
FAQs
This verse states that in Kali Yuga true spiritual gain is hard to attain, and dāna is even harder to practice; therefore, charity becomes a rare and highly valued expression of dharma.
The Garuda Purana repeatedly links merit (puṇya) to righteous conduct such as dāna; by emphasizing its rarity in Kali Yuga, the text underscores why accumulating merit through dharma supports one’s welfare beyond death.
Practice regular, sincere giving—food, support, service, or resources—within your means, as a disciplined dharmic habit rather than occasional impulse.