Shloka 54

The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

कन्यादानैश्च विधिवद्भूमिदानैश्च भक्तितः । अन्नदानैश्च गोदानैः स्वर्णदानादिभिस्तथा ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

kanyādānaiśca vidhivadbhūmidānaiśca bhaktitaḥ | annadānaiśca godānaiḥ svarṇadānādibhistathā || 55 ||

Translation

正しい作法により娘を嫁がせる施し（カニヤーダーナ）、信愛をもって土地を施すこと、また食の施し、牛の施し、黄金の施しなどの供与によって——これらダーナ（布施）の行いにより功徳が積まれる。

Word by Word

• कन्या-दानैः: by gifts of a maiden (kanyā-dāna)
• कन्या-दानैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘कन्यायाः दानम्’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• विधिवत्: according to proper rite
• विधिवत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधिवत् (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: according to rule)

• भूमि-दानैः: by gifts of land
• भूमि-दानैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘भूमेः दानम्’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• भक्तितः: out of devotion / devotedly
• भक्तितः: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb) — ‘भक्तेः हेतोः/भक्त्या’ (from/through devotion)

• अन्न-दानैः: by gifts of food
• अन्न-दानैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘अन्नस्य दानम्’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• गो-दानैः: by gifts of cows
• गो-दानैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘गवां दानम्’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण

• स्वर्ण-दान-आदिभिः: by gold-gifts and the like
• स्वर्ण-दान-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास (तत्पुरुष: ‘स्वर्णदानम्’ + ‘आदि’ = ‘gold-gift etc.’); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/तुलनावाचक-अव्यय (and likewise)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Uttara-Bhaga context on tirtha-mahatmya and dharma through dāna)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It highlights dāna as a core limb of dharma: when gifts are offered properly (vidhi) and with devotion (bhakti), they become a direct cause of puṇya (spiritual merit).

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Bhakti is emphasized through the word bhaktitaḥ—charity is not merely social duty but an offering made with a devotional intention, aligning action (karma) with reverence and surrender.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to adherence to vidhi (proper procedure), implying practical application of Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Dharmaśāstra-style norms for performing acts like kanyā-dāna and bhūmi-dāna correctly.