Shloka 11

Dāna-vidhi: Pātra-nirṇaya, Go-dāna-mahima, and Rules of Acceptance

Devanagari script

श्रान्तसंवाहनं रोगिपरिचर्या सुरार्चनम् / पादशौचं द्विजोच्छिष्टमार्जनं गाप्रदानवत्

Transliteration

śrāntasaṃvāhanaṃ rogiparicaryā surārcanam / pādaśaucaṃ dvijocchiṣṭamārjanaṃ gāpradānavat

Translation

To massage and relieve the weary, to serve and nurse the sick, to worship the gods, to wash the feet of the worthy, and to cleanse what remains after a brāhmaṇa’s meal—all these are regarded as merit equal to the gift of a cow.

Word by Word

• श्रान्तसंवाहनम्: massaging the weary
• श्रान्तसंवाहनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रान्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √श्रम् + क्त) + संवाहन (प्रातिपदिक; सम्+√वह्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः: श्रान्तस्य संवाहनम् (massaging the tired)

• रोगिपरिचर्या: attendance on the sick
• रोगिपरिचर्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोगिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + परिचर्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः: रोगिणः परिचर्या (service to the sick)

• सुरार्चनम्: worship of the gods
• सुरार्चनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्चन (प्रातिपदिक; √अर्च्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः: सुराणाम् अर्चनम् (worship of gods)

• पादशौचम्: washing the feet
• पादशौचम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक) + शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः: पादस्य शौचम् (washing/cleaning of feet)

• द्विजोच्छिष्टमार्जनम्: cleaning a Brahmin's leftovers
• द्विजोच्छिष्टमार्जनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + उच्छिष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्जन (प्रातिपदिक; √मृज्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः: द्विजस्य उच्छिष्टस्य मार्जनम् (cleaning the remnants/leftovers of a twice-born)

• गाप्रदानवत्: like the gift of a cow
• गाप्रदानवत्: Upamana (Comparison/उपमान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गा (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रदान (प्रातिपदिक; √दा) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रयोग (indeclinable-like in -वत्), उपमानार्थ (like/as); अर्थः: गाप्रदानस्य सदृशम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sevā, śauca, and devārcana—especially compassionate care—can equal the merit of major donations; dharma is accessible through service.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: sanctifying action through humility and service; purification of mind via selfless care.

Application: Prioritize hands-on service: care for sick, support caregivers, maintain cleanliness in shared spaces, and practice respectful hospitality.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: household/temple/service settings (sickroom, shrine, dining area)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.98 (equating various meritorious acts with go-dāna)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Brahmana (Dvija)

FAQs

What is the importance of service (sevā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse equates compassionate acts—soothing the tired and nursing the sick—with high-merit gifts like cow-donation, showing that practical compassion is a prime source of puṇya.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By highlighting acts that generate puṇya (merit), it implies that ethical service and worship strengthen one’s auspicious karmic balance, which the Purana connects with better post-death outcomes and reduced suffering.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Regularly help the exhausted, care for the ill, keep a discipline of worship, and practice respectful cleanliness and service toward elders/teachers—treating these as serious spiritual duties, not minor courtesies.