Shloka 22
अकार्यकारिणां दानं वेगो नद्यास्तु शुद्धिकृत् / क्षात्त्रेण कर्मणा जीवेद्विशां वाप्यापदि द्विजः
akāryakāriṇāṃ dānaṃ vego nadyāstu śuddhikṛt / kṣāttreṇa karmaṇā jīvedviśāṃ vāpyāpadi dvijaḥ
അകാര്യങ്ങൾ ചെയ്യുന്നവർക്കു നൽകിയ ദാനം അയോഗ്യമെന്നു കരുതണം; നദിയുടെ വേഗമുള്ള പ്രവാഹം ശുദ്ധികരമാണ്. എന്നാൽ ആപത്തിൽ ദ്വിജൻ ക്ഷാത്രകർമ്മത്തിലൂടെയോ, വൈശ്യവൃത്തിയിലൂടെയോ ജീവിക്കാം।
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Dana requires worthy recipients; river-current purifies; in distress a dvija may adopt kṣātra service or vaiśya means for survival (āpad-dharma).
Vedantic Theme: Ethics of intention and discernment (viveka) in giving; flexibility of social roles under necessity without losing dharmic orientation.
Application: Give with discrimination; use flowing water for purification when needed; in crisis, choose lawful, least-harm livelihood options even if outside one’s usual role, returning to normal duties when possible.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: river/ford
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.106 (dāna/śauca/āpad rules)
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that charity should be given to worthy recipients; giving to those engaged in improper conduct is treated as unsuitable and does not yield the intended dharmic merit.
It notes that the swift flow of a river is inherently purifying—supporting the idea that certain natural waters are ritually cleansing when used appropriately.
Practice intentional charity by supporting ethical recipients and causes; and in hardship, choose honest work—even outside one’s usual role—while keeping conduct disciplined and non-harmful.