Shloka 12

Bhūmi-dāna, Satya-dharma, and the Non-cancellation of Sin by Charity

Devanagari script

न चाश्वमेधेन तथा विधिवद्दक्षिणावता / अवृत्तिकर्शिते दीने ब्राह्मणे गक्षिते यथा

Transliteration

na cāśvamedhena tathā vidhivaddakṣiṇāvatā / avṛttikarśite dīne brāhmaṇe gakṣite yathā

Translation

Not even an Aśvamedha sacrifice properly performed, complete with the prescribed dakṣiṇā, yields merit equal to that gained by protecting a poor Brahmin emaciated by lack of livelihood.

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्योपपत्ति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निषेध

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्योपपत्ति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय (conjunction)

• अश्वमेधेन: by the Aśvamedha sacrifice
• अश्वमेधेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वमेध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अश्वस्य मेधः)

• तथा: so, in that way
• तथा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक (in that manner/so)

• विधिवत्: according to proper rite
• विधिवत्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधिवत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण; ‘according to rule’

• दक्षिणावता: with priestly fees (dakṣiṇā)
• दक्षिणावता: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्षिणावत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessing dakṣiṇā/fees)

• अवृत्तिकर्शिते: in/for one emaciated by lack of livelihood
• अवृत्तिकर्शिते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-वृत्ति + कर्शित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अवृत्त्या कर्शितः = emaciated by lack of livelihood)

• दीने: in/for a poor, wretched (person)
• दीने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• ब्राह्मणे: in/for a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• गक्षिते: when protected/guarded
• गक्षिते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गक्ष् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; पाठभेदसम्भवः: ‘रक्षिते’ इत्यर्थे (protected)

• यथा: as
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्योपपत्ति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उपमान/प्रकार (as, just as)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sevā and rakṣaṇa of the helpless outweigh even major Vedic sacrifices; dharma is measured by protection of life and dignity.

Vedantic Theme: Dayā (compassion) and loka-hita as sattvic dharma; yajña’s essence is welfare, not mere rite.

Application: Prioritize direct support to those in need (food, shelter, legal/medical aid); protect vulnerable scholars/teachers/elders; ensure livelihoods.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana dharma-nīti: praise of anna-dāna, protection, and support of brāhmaṇas and the poor; Garuda Purana: repeated theme that compassion and right conduct surpass ritual display

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana
• Ashvamedha
• Dakshina

FAQs

What is the importance of charity and protection (raksha) in Garuda Purana?

This verse prioritizes compassionate protection of a destitute person—especially a Brahmin lacking livelihood—as producing greater merit than even major Vedic sacrifices performed with full dakṣiṇā.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and afterlife outcomes?

In the Preta Kanda’s ethical framework, post-death welfare is shaped not only by rituals but by dharmic conduct; acts that relieve suffering and uphold social-religious duty generate powerful punya that supports favorable afterlife results.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Support those in genuine need—food, shelter, protection, livelihood assistance—especially learned or spiritually inclined people in distress, treating compassionate aid as a higher dharma than performing costly ceremonies without social responsibility.