Shloka 20

Devanagari script

कन्यादानं वृषोत्सर्गस्तीर्थसेवा श्रुतं तथा / हस्त्यश्वरथदानानि मणिरत्नवसुन्धराः

Transliteration

kanyādānaṃ vṛṣotsargastīrthasevā śrutaṃ tathā / hastyaśvarathadānāni maṇiratnavasundharāḥ

Translation

The gifting of a maiden in marriage, the ceremonial release (donation) of a bull, service at sacred pilgrimage places, and the hearing/recitation of sacred teachings; likewise gifts of elephants, horses, and chariots, as well as jewels, gems, and land—these are all highly meritorious acts.

Word by Word

• कन्यादानम्: gift of a maiden (kanyā-dāna)
• कन्यादानम्: Karta (Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (कन्यायाः दानम्)

• वृषोत्सर्गः: release/donation of a bull
• वृषोत्सर्गः: Karta (Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष + उत्सर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (वृषस्य उत्सर्गः)

• तीर्थसेवा: service at a sacred place
• तीर्थसेवा: Karta (Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ + सेवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (तीर्थस्य सेवा)

• श्रुतम्: hearing/learning (scripture)
• श्रुतम्: Karta (Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रु (धातु) → श्रुत (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; अर्थतः ‘श्रवणम्/वेदाध्ययनम्’

• तथा: also, likewise
• तथा: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/उपसंहारार्थ-अव्यय (adverb: ‘also/likewise’)

• हस्त्यश्वरथदानानि: gifts of elephants, horses, and chariots
• हस्त्यश्वरथदानानि: Karta (Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्ति + अश्व + रथ + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वपूर्वक-तत्पुरुषभावः: (हस्त्यश्व-रथानां दानानि)

• मणिरत्नवसुन्धराः: gems, jewels, and land
• मणिरत्नवसुन्धराः: Karta (Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि + रत्न + वसुन्धरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (मणयः च रत्नानि च वसुन्धराः च—दानवस्तूनि)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: A spectrum of puṇya-generating actions: social rites (kanyādāna), ritual release (vṛṣotsarga), sacred service (tīrtha-sevā), scriptural hearing (śravaṇa/śruta), and material gifts (vehicles, jewels, land).

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: channeling wealth and action toward dharma to purify and uplift society; śravaṇa as a doorway toward jñāna/bhakti.

Application: Balance life-stage duties (marriage rites), community service (pilgrimage/temple upkeep), learning (listening to śāstra), and philanthropy (transport, education, housing/land).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: tīrtha and ritual-social setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: dāna lists commonly include kanyādāna, go-dāna, anna-dāna, bhū-dāna; tīrtha-mahātmyas and śravaṇa praise recur

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

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

This verse groups major forms of dāna and allied dharmic acts—kanyādāna, vṛṣotsarga, gifts of wealth/vehicles/land—presenting them as direct sources of puṇya (spiritual merit) that support one’s auspicious destiny.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

In the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching, puṇya gained through gifts, pilgrimage-service, and hearing sacred instruction becomes supportive merit that helps the departed avoid hardship and attain better states after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice ethical generosity within your means—support dharmic causes, serve at sacred/community institutions, study and listen to scripture, and treat charity as disciplined duty rather than display.