Shloka 30

Dāna as Prāyaścitta; Deathbed Gifts; Antyeṣṭi Procedures; Nārāyaṇa-bali for Untimely Deaths

Devanagari script

रथं द्विजातये दत्त्वा राजसूयफलं लभ्त्

Transliteration

rathaṃ dvijātaye dattvā rājasūyaphalaṃ labht

Translation

By gifting a chariot to a twice-born (a qualified brāhmaṇa), one attains the merit equal to that of performing the Rājasūya sacrifice.

Word by Word

• रथम्: a chariot
• रथम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• द्विजातये: to a twice-born (Brahmin)
• द्विजातये: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विजाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष (द्विजः जातः/द्विजातिः = ब्राह्मणः)

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √दा (धातु) → दत्त्वा
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund): ‘having given’

• राजसूयफलम्: the fruit of the Rājasūya (sacrifice)
• राजसूयफलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजसूय + फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (राजसूयस्य फलम्)

• लभेत्: would obtain
• लभेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √लभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ratha-dāna to a qualified dvija yields merit comparable to the Rājasūya—great results can arise from focused generosity.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa reinterpreted: inner intention and dharmic giving can parallel elaborate ritual fruits; still within the realm of karma-phala.

Application: When grand rituals are impractical, perform high-impact giving with reverence and right recipient selection; support public goods (transport, access, infrastructure) as modern ‘ratha-dāna’ analogues.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: ratha-dāna and other dānas equated to major yajñas in dana-mahatmya sections

Characters & Entities

• Dvija
• Rājasūya (sacrifice)

FAQs

What is the importance of ratha-dāna (gifting a chariot) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that ratha-dāna to a qualified dvija yields merit comparable to the grand Rājasūya sacrifice, highlighting charity as a powerful means of accruing puṇya.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana teachings on after-death rites?

In the Preta Kanda context, prescribed gifts and charities are presented as supports that generate merit for the departed and the family, emphasizing dāna as a practical dharmic act around funerary obligations.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

One can honor the principle by giving meaningful support (transport, mobility, or essential resources) as dāna to worthy recipients with right intent, treating charity as a dharmic practice rather than mere display.