Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

देवद्रव्यविनाशेन ब्रह्मस्वहरणेन च / कुलान्यकुलतां यान्ति ब्राह्मणातिक्रमेण च

Transliteration

devadravyavināśena brahmasvaharaṇena ca / kulānyakulatāṃ yānti brāhmaṇātikrameṇa ca

Translation

By destroying property dedicated to the Devas, by stealing what belongs to Brahmins, and by transgressing against Brahmins, even established families fall into disgrace and become as though without lineage.

Word by Word

• deva-dravya-vināśena: by destruction of temple/god's property
• deva-dravya-vināśena: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + dravya (प्रातिपदिक) + vināśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया विभक्ति (Instr. 3), एकवचन (sg.); हेतौ/निमित्ते (by/through, as cause)

• brahma-sva-haraṇena: by taking away Brahmin's property
• brahma-sva-haraṇena: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + sva (प्रातिपदिक) + haraṇa (प्रातिपदिक, √hṛ-हरण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.)/पुंलिङ्ग (m.) (usage varies for haraṇa; here instr. sg.), तृतीया विभक्ति (Instr. 3), एकवचन (sg.); हेतौ

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• kulāni: families/lineages
• kulāni: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), बहुवचन (pl.)

• a-kulatām: to a state of disgrace/degeneracy
• a-kulatām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a- (नञ्) + kulatā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sg.); नञ्-पूर्वक भाववाचक (state of being non-family/degenerate)

• yānti: go/come to
• yānti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन (pl.)

• brāhmaṇa-atikrameṇa: by offending/transgressing against Brahmins
• brāhmaṇa-atikrameṇa: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + atikrama (प्रातिपदिक, √kram-क्रम् with ati-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया विभक्ति (Instr. 3), एकवचन (sg.); हेतौ (by transgression against a Brahmin)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Deva-dravya-nasha and brahmana-sva-harana, and brahmana-atikrama cause kula-kshaya (loss of lineage honor/status).

Vedantic Theme: Adharma veils sattva and invites tamasic decline; disrespect to dharma-bearers undermines social and spiritual order.

Application: Avoid misuse of religious/charitable funds; do not exploit clergy/teachers; treat sacred endowments and learned persons with integrity and legal-ethical care.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma-kanda/Acara sections): brahmana-aparadha and deva-dravya misuse as mahapataka-like causes of ruin; Garuda Purana: teachings on dana, shraddha, and the sanctity of offerings (havis/kavya)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Brahmins

FAQs

What is the importance of devadravya (temple/Deva property) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats devadravya as inviolable; harming or destroying it is a serious adharma that brings heavy negative consequences, including social and spiritual downfall.

How does this verse explain karmic consequences beyond the individual?

It states that certain grave acts—like stealing brahmasva or offending Brahmins—can degrade an entire family’s standing, implying karmic effects that manifest as loss of reputation, stability, and lineage honor.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not misuse donations, temple funds, or religious endowments; respect learned and ethical custodians of dharma; treat sacred/community assets as a trust, not personal wealth.