Shloka 108

Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas

with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

पट्टाभिरामसंज्ञायाः शिलाया दानमिष्यते / तच्चूतफलवत्स्थूलं वदनत्रयसंयुतम्

Transliteration

paṭṭābhirāmasaṃjñāyāḥ śilāyā dānamiṣyate / taccūtaphalavatsthūlaṃ vadanatrayasaṃyutam

Translation

Geboten ist die Spende des heiligen Steines namens „Paṭṭābhirāma“. Er soll groß und kräftig wie eine Mangofrucht sein und drei Gesichter besitzen.

Word by Word

• पट्टाभिरामसंज्ञायाः: of (the stone) named ‘Paṭṭābhirāmā’
• पट्टाभिरामसंज्ञायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पट्ट-अभिराम-संज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; समासः बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (पट्टाभिरामा इति संज्ञा यस्याः)

• शिलायाः: of the stone
• शिलायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी/पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Gen./Abl.), एकवचन; अत्र षष्ठी (of the stone)

• दानम्: the giving (as a gift)
• दानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• इष्यते: is recommended
• इष्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-भावः “is approved/commended”

• तत्: that (stone)
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• चूतफलवत्: like a mango-fruit / mango-fruit-like
• चूतफलवत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चूत-फल-वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘वत्’ प्रत्यय (possessing/like); समासः तत्पुरुष (चूतफलम् इव/चूतफलवत्)

• स्थूलम्: large/thick
• स्थूलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• वदनत्रयसंयुतम्: endowed with three faces
• वदनत्रयसंयुतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वदन-त्रय-संयुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (त्रिभिः वदनैः संयुतम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Devotion expresses itself through correct recognition and offering of Viṣṇu’s sacred forms (śilā-lakṣaṇa).

Vedantic Theme: Saguṇa-upāsanā as a support for inner steadiness; form-guided devotion leading toward purity of mind (citta-śuddhi).

Application: When performing Śālagrāma-dāna, ensure authenticity and traditional lakṣaṇas; consult competent Vaiṣṇava/śāstra-informed guidance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Śālagrāma-lakṣaṇa and dāna-phala descriptions in adjacent verses)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of Paṭṭābhirāma-śilā dāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats it as an enjoined ritual donation (dāna), specifying its proper form, indicating it is a sanctioned item within post-death/Śrāddha-related charitable observances.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

Indirectly: it belongs to the Preta Kanda’s ritual framework where prescribed dānas support the deceased’s transition and the family’s duty (dharma) in post-death rites, even though this specific line focuses on the object’s specification.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If following traditional Śrāddha or memorial rites, ensure donations are done with correctness and intention—giving prescribed items (or their ethical equivalents) with faith, to uphold duty and cultivate generosity.