Shloka 3

Varṇāśrama Dharma, Ethical Virtues, and Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga Culminating in ‘Ahaṃ Brahma’

Devanagari script

दानमध्ययनं यज्ञो धर्मः क्षत्त्रियवैश्ययोः / दण्डस्तस्य कृषिर्वैश्यस्य शस्यते

Transliteration

dānamadhyayanaṃ yajño dharmaḥ kṣattriyavaiśyayoḥ / daṇḍastasya kṛṣirvaiśyasya śasyate

Translation

ക്ഷത്രിയനും വൈശ്യനും ദാനം, അധ്യയനം, യജ്ഞം എന്നിവ ധര്‍മ്മമാണ്; ക്ഷത്രിയന് ന്യായമായ ദണ്ഡനീതിയിലൂടെ ഭരണകർത്തൃത്വം വിധേയവും, വൈശ്യന് കൃഷി പ്രത്യേകമായി നിർദ്ദേശിതവുമാണ്.

Word by Word

• dānam: charity
• dānam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dā (धातु) + ana (कृत्)
• Form: Kṛdanta (भाववाचक/अन), Napumsaka, Prathamā (1), Ekavacana; list-item

• adhyayanam: study
• adhyayanam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhi-i (धातु) + ana (कृत्)
• Form: Kṛdanta (भाववाचक/अन), Napumsaka, Prathamā (1), Ekavacana; list-item

• yajñaḥ: sacrifice
• yajñaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1), Ekavacana

• dharmaḥ: duty
• dharmaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1), Ekavacana

• kṣattriyavaiśyayoḥ: of the kṣatriya and vaiśya
• kṣattriyavaiśyayoḥ: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣatriya + vaiśya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6), Dvivacana (द्विवचन); itaretara-dvandva (kṣatriyasya ca vaiśyasya ca)

• daṇḍaḥ: punishment; rod (authority)
• daṇḍaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1), Ekavacana

• tasya: of him/that (i.e., of the kṣatriya)
• tasya: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6), Ekavacana; sarvanāma

• kṛṣiḥ: agriculture
• kṛṣiḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1), Ekavacana

• vaiśyasya: of the vaiśya
• vaiśyasya: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaiśya (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6), Ekavacana

• śasyate: is commended; is prescribed
• śasyate: Kriyā (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śaṃs (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्, present), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; ātmanepada; karmaṇi-prayoga (passive sense: is praised/commended)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Kṣatriya and Vaiśya share dāna, study, yajña; additionally, kṣatriya upholds order through daṇḍa (just punishment), and vaiśya sustains society through kṛṣi (agriculture).

Vedantic Theme: Loka-saṅgraha through role-based action; dharmic power (daṇḍa) as restraint of adharma; artha aligned with yajña and dāna.

Application: Exercise authority with fairness and restraint; treat economic activity as stewardship; support education, charity, and sacred obligations.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana dharma passages on rāja-dharma and household duties

FAQs

What is the importance of varna-dharma in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames dharma as duty expressed through charity, study, and sacrifice, while also prescribing role-specific responsibilities—lawful governance for Kṣatriyas and agriculture for Vaiśyas.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing dharma (right duties) as lived conduct, it implies that orderly, ethical action—charity, learning, worship, and rightful livelihood/governance—supports auspicious karmic outcomes central to the Purana’s moral framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice regular giving, disciplined learning, and sincere worship; if you hold authority, enforce rules fairly, and if you earn through trade or land-based work, prioritize ethical, sustainable livelihood.