Shloka 8

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

यज्ञस्थायर्त्विजे दैवमादायार्षस्तु गोयुगम् / चतुर्दश प्रथमजः पुनात्युत्तरजश्च षटू

Transliteration

yajñasthāyartvije daivamādāyārṣastu goyugam / caturdaśa prathamajaḥ punātyuttarajaśca ṣaṭū

Translation

At a yajña, the officiating priest receives the prescribed dakṣiṇā; for a ṛṣi, the due is a yoke of cows. The first-born purifies fourteen generations, and the later-born purifies six more.

Word by Word

• यज्ञस्थाय: in/at the sacrifice (being present at the sacrifice)
• यज्ञस्थाय: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थ (धातु/कृदन्त-आधार)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-एकवचनम् (7th loc. sg.); विशेषणम्—‘यज्ञे स्थायि’ (यज्ञस्थ)

• ऋत्विजे: to the officiating priest
• ऋत्विजे: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋत्विज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, चतुर्थी-एकवचनम् (4th dat. sg.)

• दैवम्: a divine (gift/portion)
• दैवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (2nd acc. sg.)

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial to verb/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययम् (absolutive/gerund)

• आर्षः: the Ārṣa (type of marriage)
• आर्षः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (1st nom. sg.)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (particle)

• गोयुगम्: a pair of cows (yoke/pair)
• गोयुगम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (2nd acc. sg.); समासः—षष्ठी/तत्पुरुषः ‘गवां युगम्’

• चतुर्दश: fourteen
• चतुर्दश: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्दश (संख्याशब्द/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्याविशेषणम्; (प्रायः) द्वितीया-बहुवचनार्थे/संख्याप्रयोगः ‘fourteen’

• प्रथमजः: the first-born
• प्रथमजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रथम (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (1st nom. sg.); समासः—तत्पुरुषः ‘प्रथमः जातः’

• पुनाति: purifies
• पुनाति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पू (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• उत्तरजः: the later-born
• उत्तरजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (1st nom. sg.); समासः—तत्पुरुषः ‘उत्तरः जातः’ (later-born)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• षट्: six
• षट्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षट् (संख्याशब्द/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्याविशेषणम्; (प्रायः) द्वितीया-बहुवचनार्थे/संख्याप्रयोगः ‘six’

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dakṣiṇā and rightful giving in yajña/ṛṣi-context sustains ṛta and yields transgenerational purification.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: right action and offering (yajña-dāna) purify the doer and support sattva, preparing the mind for higher knowledge.

Application: Honor prescribed fees/dakṣiṇā in rites; support learned officiants and sages appropriately; treat giving as a purificatory duty tied to family responsibility.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95 (dharma/varna and marriage taxonomy context)

Characters & Entities

• Rtvij (priest)
• Rishi

FAQs

What is the importance of dakshina (ritual fee) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that properly offering the due fee in yajña is part of dharma—supporting the officiating priest and sustaining correct ritual order.

How does this verse explain purification across generations?

It states that the merit associated with offspring—especially the first-born—extends as purification to multiple generations, indicating a lineage-based transmission of spiritual benefit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform rituals ethically: honor commitments (dakshina/charity), respect learned officiants, and live responsibly so one’s conduct benefits family and ancestral memory.