Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 27
Dāna for the Preta: Supreme Gifts, Yama’s Pacification, and Viṣṇu-Smaraṇa at the Time of Death
गर्भस्थाः शिशवो ये च युवानः स्थविरास्तथा / एभिर्दानविशेषैस्तु निर्दहेयुः स्वपातकम्
garbhasthāḥ śiśavo ye ca yuvānaḥ sthavirāstathā / ebhirdānaviśeṣaistu nirdaheyuḥ svapātakam
Whether still in the womb, a child, a youth, or an aged person—by these specific forms of charitable giving, one should burn away one’s own sin (and downfall-causing demerit).
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Specific charitable acts can ‘burn’ (nirdaheyuḥ) one’s pāpa, accessible to all life stages.
Vedantic Theme: Purification of antaḥkaraṇa through dharmic action; karma-kṣaya as preparation for higher pursuit.
Application: Do age-appropriate charity and expiation early and consistently; treat dāna as a disciplined practice rather than a last-minute act.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: lists of viśeṣa-dānas and their pāpa-nāśa claims
FAQs
This verse treats dāna as a practical prāyaścitta: specific, prescribed gifts are said to “burn” accumulated pāpa, making charity a direct means of karmic purification.
It explicitly includes every life stage—unborn, child, youth, and elder—indicating that karmic purification through dharmic acts like dāna is universally applicable, not restricted by age.
Adopt regular, intentional giving—food, essentials, support for dharmic/ethical causes—done with humility and right intent, as a lived practice of reducing harm and cultivating merit.