Shloka 113

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

with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

मूर्तिं ददाति यो मर्त्यः स याति परमां गतिम् / औदुंबरफलाकारं प्रसन्नवदनं शुभम्

Transliteration

mūrtiṃ dadāti yo martyaḥ sa yāti paramāṃ gatim / auduṃbaraphalākāraṃ prasannavadanaṃ śubham

Translation

Ein Sterblicher, der ein heiliges Bild (mūrti) spendet, gelangt zum höchsten Ziel. Dieses Bild soll glückverheißend sein: der Form nach dem Udumbara-Fruchtkörper ähnlich, mit heiter-ruhigem, anmutigem Antlitz.

Word by Word

• mūrtim: an image/idol
• mūrtim: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• dadāti: gives
• dadāti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; relative pronoun

• martyaḥ: a mortal
• martyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: martya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; demonstrative pronoun

• yāti: goes/attains
• yāti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; parasmaipada

• paramām: supreme
• paramām: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; विशेषणम्

• gatim: state/goal
• gatim: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• audumbaraphalākāram: shaped like an udumbara fruit
• audumbaraphalākāram: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: audumbara-phala-ākāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; विशेषणम्; समासः: audumbara + phala + ākāra (तत्पुरुष: ‘having the form of an udumbara fruit’)

• prasannavadanam: with a serene face
• prasannavadanam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prasanna-vadana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; विशेषणम्; समासः: prasanna + vadana (कर्मधारय)

• śubham: auspicious
• śubham: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mūrti-dāna (donation of a properly formed sacred image) yields paramā gati by pleasing the deity and cultivating selfless devotion.

Vedantic Theme: Karma offered to Īśvara (īśvara-arpita) becomes purifying; arcā as a compassionate, accessible locus for the Absolute.

Application: Support temple consecration or community worship by donating icons or sponsoring their making according to śilpa-lakṣaṇa; pair giving with humility and ongoing worship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections on dāna-mahātmyas and arcā-lakṣaṇa (mūrti-dāna descriptions continuing in adjacent verses)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of mūrti-dāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that donating a sacred image is a powerful act of merit (puṇya) that leads the donor toward the highest spiritual destination (paramā gati).

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

By linking a specific dāna (gift) to “paramā gati,” the verse presents charity performed with faith as a karmic support that elevates the soul’s post-death trajectory toward auspicious realms and liberation-oriented outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform meaningful charity—especially religious or community-supporting donations—with sincerity and purity of intention, treating giving as a disciplined spiritual practice rather than mere display.