Shloka 8
Dāna for the Preta: Supreme Gifts, Yama’s Pacification, and Viṣṇu-Smaraṇa at the Time of Death
पोष्यवर्गे तथा स्त्रीषु दानं देयमकल्पितम् / आतुरे वोपरागे च द्वयं दानं विशिष्यते / आतुरे दीयते दानं तत्काले चोपतिष्ठति
poṣyavarge tathā strīṣu dānaṃ deyamakalpitam / āture voparāge ca dvayaṃ dānaṃ viśiṣyate / āture dīyate dānaṃ tatkāle copatiṣṭhati
Almosen sollen ohne Zögern den Unterhaltsbedürftigen und den Frauen gegeben werden. Unter allen Gaben gibt es zwei Zeiten, in denen das Spenden besonders vortrefflich ist: wenn man dem Kranken gibt und zur Zeit einer Finsternis. Eine Gabe an den Kranken wirkt sogleich und wird in eben jener Stunde zur Hilfe.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Dāna should be given readily to those needing support and to women; gifts given to the sick and during eclipses are especially efficacious, with immediate beneficial fruition.
Vedantic Theme: Karma’s timing and intensity depend on context (kāla) and compassion (dayā); dharma as alleviation of duḥkha.
Application: Prioritize emergency aid and healthcare support; give promptly in crises; cultivate habitual compassion rather than hesitation.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: dāna at special times (kāla-viśeṣa) and compassion-based giving (general)
FAQs
This verse presents dāna as a direct dharmic support system: giving to dependents and women is urged, and gifts given at crucial times (illness, eclipse) are described as especially potent in producing immediate beneficial results.
In the Preta Kanda, merit (puṇya) and right conduct are repeatedly emphasized as supports in difficult transitions; here, charity is framed as a timely aid—especially when given during vulnerability (illness) or sacred cosmic moments (eclipse), strengthening one’s store of merit.
Give promptly and thoughtfully to those who depend on support, prioritize help for the sick and vulnerable, and use spiritually significant times (such as eclipses) for sincere charity—without show or delay.