Shloka 40

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

रिपून्धान्यप्रदानाद्यैः स्नेहाद्यैर्वाप्युपक्रमेत् / क्रियमाणोपकारे च मृते विप्रे न पातकम्

Transliteration

ripūndhānyapradānādyaiḥ snehādyairvāpyupakramet / kriyamāṇopakāre ca mṛte vipre na pātakam

Translation

敵は穀物などの施しによって、あるいは情愛をもって近づくなど同様の手段によって、和らげて味方とするよう努めるべきである。かかる助けを施している最中にバラモン（brāhmaṇa）が死しても、罪とはならない。

Word by Word

• रिपून्: enemies
• रिपून्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रिपु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• धान्यप्रदानाद्यैः: by (means such as) giving grain etc.
• धान्यप्रदानाद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धान्य (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रदान (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (धान्यस्य प्रदानम्) + आदि-समाहारः; करणत्वेन (instrumental)

• स्नेहाद्यैः: by affection and the like
• स्नेहाद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (स्नेहः आदि यस्य) ‘affection etc.’; करणत्वेन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्भावना/समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (also/even)

• उपक्रमेत्: should undertake (reconciliation)
• उपक्रमेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + क्रम् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• क्रियमाणोपकारे: when assistance is being rendered
• क्रियमाणोपकारे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रियमाण (कृ धातु, शानच्-प्रत्यय वर्तमानकाले) + उपकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थः—‘in the help being done’

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

• मृते: when (he) has died
• मृते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृ (धातु) → मृत (कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute)

• विप्रे: when the brāhmaṇa is (concerned)
• विप्रे: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute) सह ‘मृते’

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation)

• पातकम्: a sin
• पातकम्: Kriya (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पातक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विधेय-नाम

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Conciliation through gifts and affection is preferred; death occurring incidentally while rendering help does not incur sin—intention and context matter in dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Karma is shaped by saṅkalpa (intention) and dharmic context; non-harming and social harmony support sattva and inner peace.

Application: Use de-escalation, generosity, and empathy to resolve conflict; in emergencies, provide aid without paralyzing fear of blame when acting in good faith.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (rules on pāpa/apāpa based on intention and circumstance)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana (Vipra)

FAQs

What is the importance of conciliation (sāman/dāna-like methods) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse recommends resolving hostility through peaceful means—gifts and affectionate conduct—showing that dharmic conflict-management is preferred over harm.

How does this verse relate to karma and sin (pātaka)?

It states that if a brāhmaṇa dies while performing an act of help/service, that death does not create culpability (pātaka) for the one engaged in the righteous act.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose de-escalation—support, generosity, and respectful communication—when dealing with hostility, and prioritize sincere service without fear when acting ethically.