Shloka 55
दक्षिणां गुरवे दद्यादृत्विग्भ्यश्च यथार्हत: । अन्नाद्येनाश्वपाकांश्च प्रीणयेत्समुपागतान् ॥ ५५ ॥
dakṣiṇāṁ gurave dadyād ṛtvigbhyaś ca yathārhataḥ annādyenāśva-pākāṁś ca prīṇayet samupāgatān
One should give suitable dakṣiṇā to the spiritual master and the assisting priests—cloth, ornaments, cows, and a monetary offering—and by distributing prasāda satisfy everyone assembled, even the caṇḍālas.
In the Vedic system, prasāda is distributed, as recommended here, without discrimination as to who may take the prasāda. Regardless of whether one be a brāhmaṇa, śūdra, vaiśya, kṣatriya, or even the lowest of men, a caṇḍāla, he should be welcome to accept prasāda. However, when the caṇḍālas, the lower class or poorer class, are taking prasāda, this does not mean that they have become Nārāyaṇa or Viṣṇu. Nārāyaṇa is situated in everyone’s heart, but this does not mean Nārāyaṇa is a caṇḍāla or poor man. The Māyāvāda philosophy of accepting a poor man as Nārāyaṇa is the most envious and atheistic movement in Vedic culture. This mentality should be completely given up. Everyone should be given the opportunity to take prasāda, but this does not mean that everyone has the right to become Nārāyaṇa.
FAQs
This verse instructs that one should give appropriate dakṣiṇā to the spiritual master and duly compensate the officiating priests, honoring sacred service according to proper dharma.
In the context of the payo-vrata (a vow to please Lord Viṣṇu), these directions describe the complete religious conduct—worship along with gratitude, charity, and care for those who come seeking support.
Support genuine spiritual teachers and religious service responsibly, and also practice compassion by feeding and helping those in need—making devotion express itself through generosity and social care.