Shloka 5

Dharma-sāra: Dāna-mahātmyam, Karma-vāda, and the Conquest of Grief and Greed

Devanagari script

एकतो दानमेवाहुः समग्रवरदक्षिणम् / एकतो भयभीतस्य प्राणिनः प्राणरक्षणम्

Transliteration

ekato dānamevāhuḥ samagravaradakṣiṇam / ekato bhayabhītasya prāṇinaḥ prāṇarakṣaṇam

Translation

一方では、完全で勝れ、しかるべきダクシナー（dakṣiṇā）を伴う布施こそ最上の功徳だと説かれる。他方では、恐怖に震える生きものの命を守ることもまた同等に尊い。

Word by Word

• एकतः: on one side
• एकतः: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एकतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) — ‘on one side/one hand’

• दानम्: charity
• दानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle) — emphasis

• आहुः: they say
• आहुः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अह् (धातु; आह)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्सभूत/Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• समग्रवरदक्षिणम्: a complete and excellent gift-fee (dakṣiṇā)
• समग्रवरदक्षिणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + वर (प्रातिपदिक) + दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (समग्रा च सा वरदक्षिणा)

• एकतः: on the other side
• एकतः: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एकतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) — ‘on the other side/one hand’

• भयभीतस्य: of one frightened by fear
• भयभीतस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक) + भीत (कृदन्त; √भी धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भयेन भीतः) — past participle used adjectivally

• प्राणिनः: of a living being
• प्राणिनः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राणिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन

• प्राणरक्षणम्: protection of life
• प्राणरक्षणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राण (प्रातिपदिक) + रक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (प्राणानां रक्षणम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Two supreme merits are highlighted: excellent dāna with proper dakṣiṇā, and prāṇa-rakṣaṇa—saving a frightened being’s life.

Vedantic Theme: Ahimsa and karuṇā as sattva-enhancing virtues; dharma as lived compassion, not mere ritual merit.

Application: Give responsibly (with due honorarium/thanks), and prioritize life-saving acts: rescue, medical aid, shelter, protection from violence; cultivate readiness to help.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: emphasis on ahimsa and merit of protecting beings (thematic internal parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of dāna (charity) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights dāna done fully and properly—along with dakṣiṇā—as a major source of merit (puṇya), placing it among the highest dharmic acts.

How does this verse relate to karma and the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

Garuda Purana repeatedly links post-death well-being to accumulated puṇya; this verse identifies two powerful puṇya-generating acts—proper charity and saving life—both shaping karmic outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Give responsibly (with completeness and integrity) and prioritize protecting life—helping the vulnerable, preventing harm, and offering aid to those in fear—as direct, high-value dharma.