Shloka 36

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

गजे नीलान्वृषान्पञ्च शुके वत्सं द्विहायनम् / खराजमेषेषु वृषो देयः क्रौञ्चे त्रिहायणः

Transliteration

gaje nīlānvṛṣānpañca śuke vatsaṃ dvihāyanam / kharājameṣeṣu vṛṣo deyaḥ krauñce trihāyaṇaḥ

Translation

For the rite connected with “Gaja” (Elephant), five dark-blue bulls should be given. For “Śuka” (Parrot), a two-year-old calf should be given. For “Khara–Aja–Meṣa” (Donkey–Goat–Ram), a bull is to be given; and for “Krauñca”, a three-year-old animal should be given.

Word by Word

• गजे: in the case of an elephant
• गजे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण/Locative), एकवचन

• नीलान्: blue/dark-colored
• नीलान्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; वृषान् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• वृषान्: bulls
• वृषान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/Object), बहुवचन

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चन् (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्द; वृषान् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• शुके: in the case of a parrot
• शुके: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण/Locative), एकवचन

• वत्सम्: a calf
• वत्सम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/Object), एकवचन

• द्विहायनम्: two-year-old
• द्विहायनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (प्रातिपदिक) + हायन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; वत्सम् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्; द्विगु: 'two-year-old'

• खर: donkey
• खर: Sambandha (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• अज: goat
• अज: Sambandha (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• मेषेषु: among rams (etc.)
• मेषेषु: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण/Locative), बहुवचन; पूर्वपदद्वयेन सह समाहार-निर्देश: 'among rams (and in cases of donkey/goat)'

• वृषः: a bull
• वृषः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/Subject), एकवचन

• देयः: is to be given
• देयः: Kriya (Obligation/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (यत्/तव्यत्-समर्थ 'देय' = to be given), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय/कर्तव्यता

• क्रौञ्चे: in the case of a krauñca bird
• क्रौञ्चे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रौञ्च (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण/Locative), एकवचन

• त्रिहायणः: three-year-old
• त्रिहायणः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + हायन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (वृषः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्, अध्याहृतः) द्विगु: 'three-year-old'

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual propriety (yathāvidhi) links specific occasions to specific dāna items; precision sustains dharmic order and intended phala.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as ordered action within time; disciplined intention and correctness refine the mind (sattva) though not itself final liberation.

Application: When undertaking vows/charity, be precise and consistent; align giving with context and capacity, and ensure gifts are ethically sourced and beneficial.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (dāna specifications tied to named categories; continuation of prāyaścitta/dāna catalog)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of dāna (charity) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse illustrates that specific dānas are prescribed with precise types and ages of animals for particular ritual occasions, emphasizing that properly directed charity is considered a means to accrue merit and support dharmic rites.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and śrāddha?

The Garuda Purana often lists itemized dānas to be performed alongside śrāddha/preta-related observances; here it gives a rule-set for which animal gifts are to be offered under named occasions (e.g., gaja, śuka, krauñca), reflecting the text’s ritual-technical tradition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

The actionable principle is intentional, rule-guided charity: if traditional animal-dāna is not feasible or appropriate, practitioners commonly follow the spirit of the injunction through equivalent ethical giving (food, cowshed support, or sanctioned substitutes) under guidance of a qualified priest/tradition.