Shloka 76

Āhnika-Dharma: Dawn Purification, Sandhyā-Upāsanā, Tarpana, Pañca-Mahāyajñas, and Aśauca Rules

Devanagari script

भिक्षामाहुर्ग्रासमात्रमन्नं तत्स्याच्चतुर्गुणम् / पुष्कलं हन्तकारं तु तच्चतुर्गुणमुच्यते

Transliteration

bhikṣāmāhurgrāsamātramannaṃ tatsyāccaturguṇam / puṣkalaṃ hantakāraṃ tu taccaturguṇamucyate

Translation

ഭിക്ഷ എന്നു പറയുന്നത് ഒരു ഗ്രാസമാത്ര അന്നമാണ്; നിശ്ചിത അളവ് അതിന്റെ നാലിരട്ടി. എന്നാൽ അത്യധികവും പുഷ്കലവുമായ അളവ് ‘ഹന്തകാര’ (വിനാശകരം) എന്നു പറയുന്നു; അതും നാലിരട്ടി അളവായി വിവക്ഷിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• भिक्षाम्: alms
• भिक्षाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• आहुः: they say/call
• आहुः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• ग्रासमात्रम्: only a mouthful
• ग्रासमात्रम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्रास (प्रातिपदिक) + मात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ग्रासस्य मात्रम्)

• अन्नम्: food
• अन्नम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तत्: that (measure)
• तत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• चतुर्गुणम्: fourfold
• चतुर्गुणम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (चतुर्णां गुणः = fourfold)

• पुष्कलम्: abundant
• पुष्कलम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुष्कल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• हन्तकारम्: (so much as to make one exclaim) ‘alas!’
• हन्तकारम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हन्त (अव्यय/उद्गार) + कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (हन्त-कारः = ‘alas!’-making/causing exclamation)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (contrast/emphasis)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• चतुर्गुणम्: fourfold
• चतुर्गुणम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः

• उच्यते: is said/called
• उच्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Alms and food should be given and taken in proper measure; excess becomes spiritually ruinous.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha (sense-restraint) and aparigraha (non-hoarding) as supports for sattva and clarity.

Application: Keep portions modest; give/accept alms without greed; avoid lavish feasting that inflames craving and negligence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50.77-80 (atithi-puja, dana, pancha-mahayajna, consequences of neglect)

FAQs

What is the importance of bhikṣā (alms) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames bhikṣā as a minimal, disciplined intake—about a single mouthful—highlighting moderation and restraint as part of dharmic conduct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing controlled consumption and avoidance of excess, it supports the broader purāṇic ethic that disciplined living purifies karma, aiding one’s post-death journey and reducing binding attachments.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice mindful, measured eating and avoid both deprivation and indulgent excess—especially when observing vows, fasting routines, or religious disciplines.