Shloka 123

Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas

with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

तत्रापि केसरैश्चैक्रर्लक्षणैश्च समन्वितम् / कलौ तु दुर्लभं नणां तद्दानं चातिदुर्लभम्

Transliteration

tatrāpi kesaraiścaikrarlakṣaṇaiśca samanvitam / kalau tu durlabhaṃ naṇāṃ taddānaṃ cātidurlabham

Translation

そこにおいても、それは花糸（ケーサラ）を備え、聖輪（チャクラ）の徴を具えていなければならない。だがカリの世には、人々の間でそれは得難く、ましてそれを施すことはなおさら得難い。

Word by Word

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (there)

• अपि: also
• अपि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (also)

• केसरैः: with filaments (kesara)
• केसरैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केसर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• चक्र-लक्षणैः: with wheel-marks/signs
• चक्र-लक्षणैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (चक्रस्य लक्षणानि)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• समन्वितम्: endowed (with)
• समन्वितम्: विधेय (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-अन्वि (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; अर्थ: endowed/combined

• कलौ: in Kali (age)
• कलौ: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (in Kali age)

• तु: but
• तु: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेष-निपात (but/indeed)

• दुर्लभम्: rare/difficult to obtain
• दुर्लभम्: विधेय (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• नृणाम्: of men/for people
• नृणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• तत्-दाणम्: that donation/gift
• तत्-दाणम्: कर्ता/विधेय (Subject/Predicate nominal; context-dependent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (तस्य दानम् = that giving/donation)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• अति-दुर्लभम्: very rare
• अति-दुर्लभम्: विधेय (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति (अव्यय) + दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव (अत्यन्तं दुर्लभम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna should be done with proper lakṣaṇa (authentic marks); in Kali-yuga both availability and generosity diminish.

Vedantic Theme: Outer correctness supports inner intention; Kali-yuga as a time when sattva declines, making dharmic acts rarer and thus more precious.

Application: When donating religious items or icons, ensure authenticity/quality and correct symbolism; cultivate generosity despite social scarcity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26 (discussion of lakṣaṇa—‘cakra’ marks; and dāna connected to tīrtha practice)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Kali Yuga

FAQs

What is the importance of proper characteristics (lakṣaṇa) in Garuda Purana donations (dāna)?

This verse stresses that an offering used for dharmic purposes should meet specific auspicious marks and completeness; correctness of the gift is treated as part of the merit of dāna.

How does this verse reflect the Garuda Purana’s view of Kali Yuga?

It portrays Kali Yuga as an age where both the availability of properly qualified ritual items and the willingness to donate them decline, indicating weakening of dharma and generosity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When giving in religious contexts (including śrāddha-related charity), prioritize sincerity and quality—offer what is appropriate, complete, and respectfully prepared rather than careless or symbolic giving.