Shloka 100

Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules

Devanagari script

बहुभ्यो न प्रदेयानि गौर्गृहं शयनं स्त्रियः / विभक्तदक्षिणा ह्येते दातारं पातयन्ति हि

Transliteration

bahubhyo na pradeyāni gaurgṛhaṃ śayanaṃ striyaḥ / vibhaktadakṣiṇā hyete dātāraṃ pātayanti hi

Translation

Kuh, Haus, Lager und Frauen sollen nicht als geteilte Gaben an viele Empfänger gegeben werden. Denn diese, wenn die Dakṣiṇā aufgeteilt wird, bringen den Spender wahrlich zu Fall.

Word by Word

• bahubhyaḥ: to many (persons)
• bahubhyaḥ: Apadana/Reference (अपादान/निर्देश)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, बहुवचन — Ablative (5th), Plural; ‘from/than many’ (idiomatically: ‘to many’)

• na: not
• na: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निषेध — Negation particle

• pradeyāni: should not be given
• pradeyāni: Vidhi/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√dā (दा धातु) + -ya (यत्)
• Form: कृदन्त (यत्/य), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विधेय ‘देयानि’ — Gerundive/obligatory, Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• gauḥ: a cow
• gauḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• gṛham: a house
• gṛham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• śayanam: a bed
• śayanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• striyaḥ: women
• striyaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन — Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• vibhakta-dakṣiṇāḥ: those with divided honoraria (split gifts)
• vibhakta-dakṣiṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vibhakta (वि-√bhaj भज् धातु, क्त) + dakṣiṇā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन — Karmadharaya compound, Masculine, Nominative, Plural; ‘having divided fees/gifts’

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, हेत्वर्थक/निश्चयार्थक — Particle (for, indeed)

• ete: these
• ete: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन — Demonstrative pronoun, Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• dātāram: the giver
• dātāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• pātayanti: cause (him) to fall
• pātayanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pat (पत् धातु) (णिच् causative)
• Form: लट्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; णिच् — Present, Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Plural, Causative ‘cause to fall’

• hi: certainly
• hi: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निश्चयार्थक — Emphatic particle

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Certain gifts should not be divided among many; splitting the dakṣiṇā in such cases harms the donor’s merit and standing.

Vedantic Theme: Karma’s subtlety: intention and method shape phala; improper procedure can invert merit into demerit.

Application: Avoid fragmented or ambiguous transfers in major commitments (property, caregiving responsibilities, intimate/relational matters); ensure clear, lawful, and ethical allocation to prevent harm.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: social-ritual domain of dāna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34.98-99 (proper giving procedure); Garuda Purana 2.34.101 (fruit of proper giving)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of rules on dāna (dakṣiṇā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that certain high-impact gifts must be given correctly; dividing them among many is treated as a ritual fault that can bring spiritual demerit to the donor.

How does this verse relate to after-death rites in the Garuda Purana narrative?

In the Preta Kanda’s ritual instructions, proper giving supports dharma and auspicious outcomes, while improper gifting is warned against as causing a “fall” (loss of merit), relevant to rites connected with śrāddha and offerings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing religious charity—especially connected with ancestral rites—follow tradition and competent guidance: avoid careless splitting of major gifts and prioritize clear, ethical, and properly intended donations.