Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

कृत्वा बहूनि पापानि रौद्राणि विपुलानि च / अपि गोचर्ममात्रेण भूमिदानेन शुध्यति

Transliteration

kṛtvā bahūni pāpāni raudrāṇi vipulāni ca / api gocarmamātreṇa bhūmidānena śudhyati

Translation

Even after committing many sins—cruel and grave in nature—one becomes purified by the gift of land, even if it is only as much as the measure of a cowhide.

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: पूर्वकाल (Pūrvakāla/Anterior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive)

• बहूनि: many
• बहूनि: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• पापानि: sins
• पापानि: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• रौद्राणि: terrible/fierce
• रौद्राणि: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रौद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• विपुलानि: great/abundant
• विपुलानि: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/अपवाद/अपेक्षाबोधक (particle: even/also)

• गो-चर्म-मात्रेण: by (a gift) only as much as a cowhide
• गो-चर्म-मात्रेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + चर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + मात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘गोचर्मस्य’) + ‘मात्र’ (only as much as)

• भूमि-दानेन: by the gift of land
• भूमि-दानेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘भूमेः दानम्’)

• शुध्यति: is purified
• शुध्यति: क्रिया (Kriyā/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शुध् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bhūmi-dāna functions as powerful śuddhi (purification) even for grave pāpa; intention and act of relinquishing land can cleanse accumulated wrongdoing.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-śuddhi as preparation for higher knowledge; relinquishment (tyāga) weakens possessiveness (mamatā) and supports inner purification.

Application: For those burdened by wrongdoing, undertake meaningful restitution and charitable giving (especially livelihood-supporting gifts); pair giving with sincere repentance, ethical reform, and ongoing discipline.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-measure/land-parcel

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana dāna-prakaraṇa on bhūmi-dāna’s superiority; Garuda Purana prayāścitta-like passages where dāna mitigates pāpa

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of bhūmi-dāna (donation of land) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents bhūmi-dāna as a powerful prāyaścitta (expiatory act): even a small, measured gift of land is said to purify one who has accumulated many grievous sins.

How does this verse relate to karma and the afterlife themes of the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda context, the text emphasizes remedies that reduce the burden of pāpa (sin) affecting post-death destiny; bhūmi-dāna is highlighted as a dharmic act that generates merit and supports purification.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice ethical living and, when possible, support dharmic causes through meaningful giving—such as donating or funding land/resources for temples, shelters, or community service—done with sincerity and rightful means.