Shloka 57
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
अत्युत्तमं गृष्टिदानं च पुण्यं नैवाप्यते दुग्धदोहाश्च गावः / अत्युत्तमे वस्त्रदाने सुबुद्धिः सुदुर्घटा परमा वै जनानाम्
atyuttamaṃ gṛṣṭidānaṃ ca puṇyaṃ naivāpyate dugdhadohāśca gāvaḥ / atyuttame vastradāne subuddhiḥ sudurghaṭā paramā vai janānām
Die Gabe einer gṛṣṭi-Kuh ist überaus vortrefflich und höchst verdienstvoll; denn Kühe, die reichlich Milch geben, sind nicht leicht zu erlangen. Ebenso ist der Entschluss, die allerbesten Gewänder zu spenden, unter den Menschen äußerst selten — solch höchste Einsicht ist überaus schwer zu finden.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: The highest gifts are those that are rare and truly beneficial (a high-yield cow; best clothing); such excellence requires uncommon buddhi (discernment).
Vedantic Theme: Cultivation of sattva through selfless, high-quality giving; dharma as a means to inner refinement.
Application: When giving, prioritize genuine utility and quality (e.g., livelihood-supporting aid, durable essentials) rather than token items.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.56 (intention in giving); Garuda Purana 3.26.58 (supreme objects: Bhāgavata, tīrtha, Hari-vicāra)
FAQs
This verse highlights go-dāna—specifically gifting a high-quality milch cow—as a supremely meritorious act, emphasizing that such valuable cows are not easy to obtain and therefore the gift is especially significant.
In the Preta Kanda context, dāna is taught as a means to accumulate puṇya that supports the departed and the living; the verse stresses that rare, high-quality gifts (cow and clothing) carry exceptional merit.
Give thoughtfully and within capacity: prioritize genuinely useful, high-quality donations (e.g., supporting dairy livelihood, food security, or providing durable clothing) with sincere intent rather than token giving.