Shloka 55
The Episode of Vena: Purification, the ‘Vāsudevābhidhā’ Hymn, and the Dharma of Charity
Times, Tīrthas, Worthy Recipients
मध्याह्ने तु ततो राजन्नपराह्णे तथैव च । मामुद्दिश्य च यो दद्यात्तस्य पुण्यमनंतकम्
madhyāhne tu tato rājannaparāhṇe tathaiva ca | māmuddiśya ca yo dadyāttasya puṇyamanaṃtakam
Zur Mittagszeit und ebenso am Nachmittag, o König: Wer eine Gabe darbringt und sie mir widmet, dessen Verdienst ist endlos.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue context in Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजन्नपराह्णे = राजन् + अपराह्णे; मामुद्दिश्य = माम् + उद्दिश्य; दद्यात्तस्य = दद्यात् + तस्य; पुण्यमनंतकम् = पुण्यम् + अनन्तकम् (अनंतकम् पाठभेदः)
FAQs
It recommends dāna (charitable giving) performed specifically at midday and also in the afternoon, with the gift mentally dedicated “to me” (the speaking deity/authority).
It implies intentional dedication: the donor offers the gift with a clear inner resolve that the act is meant for the addressed divine figure, making the intention (saṅkalpa/bhāva) central to the merit.
It teaches that generosity, when done with sincere intention and proper mindfulness of time and dedication, yields enduring spiritual benefit—described here as “endless merit.”