Shloka 88

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

वैशेषिकं धनं दृष्टं ब्राह्मणस्य त्रिलक्षणम् / याजनाध्यापने नित्यं विशुद्धश्च (द्धाच्च) प्रतिग्रहः

Transliteration

vaiśeṣikaṃ dhanaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ brāhmaṇasya trilakṣaṇam / yājanādhyāpane nityaṃ viśuddhaśca (ddhācca) pratigrahaḥ

Translation

ब्राह्मण का विशिष्ट (उचित) धन तीन लक्षणों वाला माना गया है—नित्य याजन (यज्ञ कराना), नित्य अध्यापन (वेदाध्ययन‑अध्यापन), और केवल शुद्ध रीति से प्राप्त दान का ग्रहण।

Word by Word

• वैशेषिकम्: special/particular (as prescribed)
• वैशेषिकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैशेषिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (neuter nom/acc sg)

• धनम्: wealth
• धनम्: Karma/Pratipādya (Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• दृष्टम्: is regarded/seen
• दृष्टम्: Kriya (Predicative/क्रिया-भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु) → दृष्ट (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोगः (seen/considered)

• ब्राह्मणस्य: of a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन (masculine genitive singular)

• त्रिलक्षणम्: having three characteristics
• त्रिलक्षणम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि-लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक; त्रि + लक्षण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (neuter nom/acc sg)

• याजन: in officiating (sacrifices)
• याजन: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: याजन् (प्रातिपदिक; √यज्-णिच् अर्थे ‘याजन’ = officiating sacrifice)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वे प्रथमपदम् (locative singular; first member of a coordination)

• अध्यापने: in teaching (the Veda)
• अध्यापने: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्यापन (प्रातिपदिक; √अधि-आप्/√पठ् caus. sense ‘to teach’)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; याजन-अध्यापने इति समाहार-द्वन्द्वार्थः (locative singular; coordinated with previous)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kala/Avadhi (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (accusative used adverbially: 'always')

• विशुद्धः: pure
• विशुद्धः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक; √शुध्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (masculine nominative singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• प्रतिग्रहः: acceptance (of gifts)
• प्रतिग्रहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक; प्रति+ग्रह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन (masculine nominative singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Brāhmaṇa’s proper wealth is tied to yajña-officiation, teaching, and accepting only ritually/morally pure gifts.

Vedantic Theme: Śuddhi (purity) as a prerequisite for sattvic livelihood; artha subordinated to dharma and jñāna.

Application: Earn primarily through teaching and priestly service; vet donations for ethical sourcing; refuse tainted patronage that compromises integrity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.87 (general wealth triad); Garuda Purana 1.213.89-91 (other varṇas and prohibited livelihoods)

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa

FAQs

What is the importance of pure pratigraha (accepting gifts) in Garuda Purana?

This verse treats purity of the gift’s source and intent as essential; receiving only what is “viśuddha” preserves a brāhmaṇa’s dharma and prevents livelihood from becoming ethically or ritually tainted.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames livelihood as dharmic action: right conduct in yājana, adhyāpana, and pure receiving supports merit (puṇya), which the Garuda Purana links to favorable post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Earn through teaching/service with integrity, avoid unethical funding, and accept support only when it is honestly obtained—so one’s work and spiritual practice remain clean and trustworthy.