Shloka 21
Bhūmi-dāna, Satya-dharma, and the Non-cancellation of Sin by Charity
प्रतिग्रहाध्यापनयाजनेषु प्रतिग्रहं स्वेष्टतमं वदन्ति / प्रतिग्रहाच्छ्रुध्यति जाप्यहोमं न याजनं कर्म पुनन्ति वेदाः
pratigrahādhyāpanayājaneṣu pratigrahaṃ sveṣṭatamaṃ vadanti / pratigrahācchrudhyati jāpyahomaṃ na yājanaṃ karma punanti vedāḥ
Among receiving gifts, teaching, and officiating sacrifices, they declare the receiving of gifts to be the most perilous. From accepting gifts, one’s recitation and oblations become impaired; the Vedas do not say that priestly officiation (alone) purifies that taint of action.
Lord Vishnu (narrating instruction to Garuda)
Concept: Pratigraha (accepting gifts) is most perilous; it can impair japa and homa; mere yajana does not automatically purify that taint per Vedic authority.
Vedantic Theme: Inner purity (antahkarana-shuddhi) conditions the fruit of karma; livelihood ethics affect spiritual efficacy.
Application: For religious professionals: accept support with discernment, transparency, and purity of source; for donors: give righteously; for all: avoid transactional spirituality.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: dana rules and warnings about impure gifts (aśuddha-dana); Garuda Purana: brahmana conduct codes—japa/homa purity and food/gift restrictions
FAQs
This verse treats pratigraha as the most spiritually risky of common priestly livelihoods, warning that improper acceptance can taint one’s mantra-recitation and fire-offerings.
By stressing ritual and ethical purity, it implies that actions like corrupt gift-acceptance create karmic blemishes that can follow the soul after death, affecting one’s spiritual standing—an underlying theme throughout the Preta Kanda.
Give and receive donations ethically: avoid coercive, dishonest, or impure exchanges; prioritize integrity in religious services so spiritual practice (japa, homa, worship) remains sincere and effective.