Shloka 40

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

रिपून्धान्यप्रदानाद्यैः स्नेहाद्यैर्वाप्युपक्रमेत् / क्रियमाणोपकारे च मृते विप्रे न पातकम्

Transliteration

ripūndhānyapradānādyaiḥ snehādyairvāpyupakramet / kriyamāṇopakāre ca mṛte vipre na pātakam

Translation

Man soll versuchen, Feinde durch Gaben von Getreide und dergleichen oder durch liebevolle Annäherung und ähnliche Mittel zu gewinnen. Und wenn bei solcher Hilfeleistung ein Brāhmaṇa stirbt, entsteht keine Sünde.

Word by Word

• रिपून्: enemies
• रिपून्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रिपु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• धान्यप्रदानाद्यैः: by (means such as) giving grain etc.
• धान्यप्रदानाद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धान्य (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रदान (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (धान्यस्य प्रदानम्) + आदि-समाहारः; करणत्वेन (instrumental)

• स्नेहाद्यैः: by affection and the like
• स्नेहाद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (स्नेहः आदि यस्य) ‘affection etc.’; करणत्वेन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्भावना/समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (also/even)

• उपक्रमेत्: should undertake (reconciliation)
• उपक्रमेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + क्रम् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• क्रियमाणोपकारे: when assistance is being rendered
• क्रियमाणोपकारे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रियमाण (कृ धातु, शानच्-प्रत्यय वर्तमानकाले) + उपकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थः—‘in the help being done’

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

• मृते: when (he) has died
• मृते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृ (धातु) → मृत (कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute)

• विप्रे: when the brāhmaṇa is (concerned)
• विप्रे: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute) सह ‘मृते’

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation)

• पातकम्: a sin
• पातकम्: Kriya (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पातक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विधेय-नाम

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Conciliation through gifts and affection is preferred; death occurring incidentally while rendering help does not incur sin—intention and context matter in dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Karma is shaped by saṅkalpa (intention) and dharmic context; non-harming and social harmony support sattva and inner peace.

Application: Use de-escalation, generosity, and empathy to resolve conflict; in emergencies, provide aid without paralyzing fear of blame when acting in good faith.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (rules on pāpa/apāpa based on intention and circumstance)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana (Vipra)

FAQs

What is the importance of conciliation (sāman/dāna-like methods) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse recommends resolving hostility through peaceful means—gifts and affectionate conduct—showing that dharmic conflict-management is preferred over harm.

How does this verse relate to karma and sin (pātaka)?

It states that if a brāhmaṇa dies while performing an act of help/service, that death does not create culpability (pātaka) for the one engaged in the righteous act.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose de-escalation—support, generosity, and respectful communication—when dealing with hostility, and prioritize sincere service without fear when acting ethically.