Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 104
Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules
तेषु यद्दीयते दानं तस्मादप्यधिकन्त्विदम् / एतच्छय्याप्रदानस्य नाप्नोति षोडशीं कलाम्
teṣu yaddīyate dānaṃ tasmādapyadhikantvidam / etacchayyāpradānasya nāpnoti ṣoḍaśīṃ kalām
Di antara berbagai sedekah itu, apa pun yang diberikan, sedekah ini lebih agung daripadanya. Tanpa mempersembahkan dāna berupa ranjang suci ini, seseorang tidak meraih bahkan seperenambelas bagiannya.
Lord Vishnu
Concept: Śayyā-pradāna (bed-gift) is proclaimed superior to other dānas; omission yields only a fraction of the promised puṇya.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga in ritual form: intentional giving (tyāga) purifies and yields specific phala; hierarchy of acts reflects śāstric valuation of saṃskāra-producing charity.
Application: If following this tradition, perform śayyā-dāna with proper saṅkalpa, recipient qualification, and accompanying gifts; otherwise adopt the principle—give what truly supports life and dharma (shelter/rest/comfort) with humility.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34 context: dāna-praśaṃsā sequence culminating in śayyā-dāna and its fruits; Garuda Purana Śrāddha/Preta sections: repeated emphasis on dāna as aid to the departed and as puṇya for the giver
FAQs
This verse ranks śayyā-pradāna as superior to other gifts and states that without it one fails to obtain even a small fraction (one-sixteenth) of the intended merit.
In the Preta Kanda context, prescribed dānas support the deceased’s welfare and ritual completeness; this verse highlights that the śayyā-dāna is treated as a key, high-merit component among such rites.
If performing śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related charity, prioritize meaningful, need-based giving aligned with tradition (e.g., bedding or essential comforts to the needy) while maintaining sincerity and ethical conduct.