Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

निर्दिश्य धर्मराजाय विप्रेभ्यो मुच्यते भयात् / द्वादश्यामर्चयेद्विष्णुमुपोष्याघप्रणाशनम्

Transliteration

nirdiśya dharmarājāya viprebhyo mucyate bhayāt / dvādaśyāmarcayedviṣṇumupoṣyāghapraṇāśanam

Translation

Wer die gebührende Darbringung Dharmarāja (Yama) und den Brāhmaṇas widmet, wird von Furcht befreit. Am Dvādaśī-Tag soll man fasten und Viṣṇu verehren, den Vernichter der Sünden.

Word by Word

• निर्दिश्य: having indicated/dedicated
• निर्दिश्य: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + दिश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययम् (Gerund/Absolutive), परस्मैपदी-धातोः; ‘निर्दिश्य’ = having indicated/dedicated

• धर्मराजाय: to Dharma-rāja (Yama)
• धर्मराजाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्मराज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, चतुर्थी (Dative), एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (धर्मः एव राजा)

• विप्रेभ्यः: from Brahmins
• विप्रेभ्यः: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative) बहुवचनम् (also can function as Dative plural by form; here ‘from Brahmins’)

• मुच्यते: is released
• मुच्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (passive sense)

• भयात्: from fear
• भयात्: Apadana (Source/Separation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, पञ्चमी (Ablative), एकवचनम्

• द्वादश्याम्: on the Dvādaśī (12th lunar day)
• द्वादश्याम्: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वादशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचनम्

• अर्चयेत्: should worship
• अर्चयेत्: Kriya (Injunctive action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम् (injunctive/impersonal prescription)

• विष्णुम्: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचनम्

• उपोष्य: having fasted
• उपोष्य: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + वस् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययम् (Gerund); ‘उपोष्य’ = having fasted

• अघप्रणाशनम्: destroyer of sin
• अघप्रणाशनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अघ + प्रणाशन (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अघस्य प्रणाशनम्)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Timing: Dvādaśī (lunar day)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Fear is alleviated by honoring Dharmarāja and brāhmaṇas, and by fasting and worshiping Viṣṇu on Dvādaśī as pāpa-pranāśana.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha through bhakti supported by niyama (upavāsa) and dharmic restitution; surrender reduces existential fear.

Application: Observe Dvādaśī fast (as capacity allows), perform Viṣṇu-pūjā/japa, and make respectful offerings to brāhmaṇas; cultivate ethical living to align with Dharmarāja.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-time observance / moral-cosmic court

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: frequent linkage of Yama’s fear with dharma observance and Viṣṇu-smaraṇa as protection

Characters & Entities

• Dharmarāja (Yama)
• Brāhmaṇas
• Viṣṇu

FAQs

What is the importance of Dvādaśī worship in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse states that fasting and worshiping Viṣṇu on Dvādaśī functions as a sin-destroying practice (aghapraṇāśana), supporting spiritual purification and fearlessness.

How does this verse relate to fear of Yama (Dharmarāja)?

It teaches that fulfilling religious dues—offerings dedicated to Dharmarāja and giving to brāhmaṇas—helps one become free from fear, implying moral and ritual preparedness in the face of death and judgment.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe Dvādaśī with a simple fast as able, perform Viṣṇu worship, and practice ethical giving (especially supporting learned/virtuous recipients), cultivating a life aligned with dharma rather than fear.