Shloka 83

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

Devanagari script

ददाति यो हि धर्मार्थे बान्धवो बान्धवे मृते / विशेषमत्र पक्षे तु कथ्यमानं मया शृणु

Transliteration

dadāti yo hi dharmārthe bāndhavo bāndhave mṛte / viśeṣamatra pakṣe tu kathyamānaṃ mayā śṛṇu

Translation

Wenn ein Verwandter um der Dharma willen im Namen eines verstorbenen Angehörigen eine Gabe spendet, trägt dies besondere Bedeutung. So höre nun von mir die besondere Vorschrift, die für diese zwei Wochen zu lehren ist.

Word by Word

• dadāti: gives
• dadāti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धा॒तु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present/वर्तमान), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Eka-vacana (singular/एकवचन)

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (masculine/पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā-vibhakti (Nominative/प्रथमा), Eka-vacana (singular/एकवचन)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta (particle/निपात), emphasis/indeed

• dharma-arthe: for a righteous purpose
• dharma-arthe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa-samāsa (determinative), Puṃliṅga, Saptamī-vibhakti (Locative/सप्तमी), Eka-vacana; sense: purpose/occasion ‘for dharma’

• bāndhavaḥ: a kinsman
• bāndhavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāndhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā-vibhakti, Eka-vacana

• bāndhave: to a kinsman
• bāndhave: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāndhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Caturthī-vibhakti (Dative/चतुर्थी), Eka-vacana

• mṛte: when (he) has died
• mṛte: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛta (कृदन्त; √mṛ धातु)
• Form: Kta-pratyaya (past passive participle/क्त), Puṃliṅga (agreeing with bāndhave), Saptamī-vibhakti (Locative), Eka-vacana; ‘when (he) is dead’

• viśeṣam: a special point
• viśeṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā-vibhakti (Accusative/द्वितीया), Eka-vacana

• atra: here
• atra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: Deśa-avyaya (adverb of place/देशाव्यय)

• pakṣe: in this case
• pakṣe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī-vibhakti (Locative), Eka-vacana; ‘in this case/side’

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta (particle), contrast/indeed

• kathyamānam: being said
• kathyamānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kath (धा॒तु)
• Form: Śatṛ/Śānac? (actually: present passive participle/वर्तमानकर्मणि कृदन्त), -yamāna (passive), Neuter, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana; ‘being stated’

• mayā: by me
• mayā: Kartṛ-karaṇa (कर्ता-करण; agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Tr̥tīyā-vibhakti (Instrumental/तृतीया), Eka-vacana

• śṛṇu: listen
• śṛṇu: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धा॒तु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), Parasmaipada, Madhyama-puruṣa (2nd person/मध्यमपुरुष), Eka-vacana

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: A specified pakṣa (fortnight) with special rule as taught in context

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna performed for dharma on behalf of a deceased relative yields special efficacy when done according to the prescribed time-rule.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala governed by niyama (right intention, right timing, right procedure).

Application: Perform charitable gifts/rites for departed kin with correct calendrical observance (pakṣa) and with dharmic intent, not display.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/Śrāddha-prakaraṇa: śrāddha-kāla-niyama and dāna for preta/pitṛ benefit (contextual continuity with 2.34.84–87)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of giving (dāna) for a deceased relative in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that charity performed for dharma on behalf of a departed kinsman has a special, emphasized efficacy, especially in the prescribed fortnight connected with ancestral rites.

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

While not describing the journey directly, it frames a core support for the departed: dharmic acts by relatives (like dāna during the śrāddha-related pakṣa) are taught as having special value for the deceased’s post-death condition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform charitable giving in a dharmic spirit in memory of departed family members—especially during traditional śrāddha periods—aligning the act with ethical conduct and sincere intention.