Shloka 5

Tithi-Vrata Vidhāna: Śikhī-vrata (Pratipadā), Tṛtīyā Devī/Śrīdhara rites, Gaṇeśa Caturthī Mantra-Nyāsa, and Nāga Pañcamī

Devanagari script

यजेदशून्यशय्यायां फलं दद्याद्द्विजातये / शय्यां दत्त्वा प्रार्थयेच्च श्रीधराय नमः श्रियै

Transliteration

yajedaśūnyaśayyāyāṃ phalaṃ dadyāddvijātaye / śayyāṃ dattvā prārthayecca śrīdharāya namaḥ śriyai

Translation

One should perform worship upon a bed that is not empty, and give fruit as a gift to a twice-born (brāhmaṇa). Having donated a bed, one should then pray: “Salutations to Śrīdhara, and salutations to Śrī (Lakṣmī).”

Word by Word

• यजेत्: should worship/sacrifice
• यजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• अशून्यशय्यायाम्: on (the observance called) Aśūnyaśayyā
• अशून्यशय्यायाम्: Adhikarana (Time/Occasion/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-शून्य-शय्या (प्रातिपदिक; समास: अशून्य + शय्या)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘अशून्या शय्या’ इति कर्मधारय; व्रत/तिथि-नामरूपेण

• फलम्: fruit (offering)
• फलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दद्यात्: should give
• दद्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• द्विजातये: to a twice-born (Brahmin etc.)
• द्विजातये: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विजाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (सम्प्रदान/Dative), एकवचन

• शय्याम्: a bed
• शय्याम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शय्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having given’

• प्रार्थयेत्: should pray/request
• प्रार्थयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-अर्थ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• श्रीधराय: to Śrīdhara
• श्रीधराय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीधर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambandha/Discourse particle (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोग)
• Form: निपातवत् अव्ययप्रयोग; ‘नमः + चतुर्थी’ इति नमस्कारार्थे

• श्रियै: to Śrī (Lakṣmī)/to prosperity
• श्रियै: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual worship joined with dāna (fruit-gift, bed donation) and explicit praṇāma to Śrīdhara–Śrī integrates devotion with ethical generosity.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: offering and donation as īśvara-arpita, reducing possessiveness (mamatā) and cultivating sattva.

Application: Combine pūjā with tangible charity: donate bedding/comfort items and food/fruit to qualified recipients; conclude with a simple nāma-mantra/prayer to anchor the act in devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: dāna as a recurring purifier and merit-generator, often paired with Viṣṇu-nāma; Garuda Purana 1.129: continuing tithi-based prescriptions involving dāna and worship

Characters & Entities

• Śrīdhara (Vishnu)
• Śrī (Lakshmi)
• Dvijāti (twice-born/Brāhmaṇa)

FAQs

What is the importance of śayyā-dāna (donation of a bed) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents śayyā-dāna as a dharmic gift linked with devotion to Viṣṇu (Śrīdhara), indicating that charitable giving performed with prayer is a recommended religious observance.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it emphasizes merit (puṇya) gained through dāna and proper ritual conduct—merit that the Garuḍa Purāṇa often connects with improved post-death outcomes and spiritual welfare.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice intentional charity (e.g., gifting bedding or essential comforts) and pair it with sincere prayer and ethical living, keeping the act rooted in devotion rather than display.