Shloka 19

The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body

Devanagari script

गो-भू-तिल-हिरण्यानि दानान्याहुः स्वशक्तितः

Transliteration

go-bhū-tila-hiraṇyāni dānānyāhuḥ svaśaktitaḥ

Translation

അവർ പറയുന്നു—ഗോ, ഭൂമി, തിലം, ഹിരണ്യം—ഈ ദാനങ്ങൾ സ്വന്തം ശേഷിയനുസരിച്ച് നൽകണം.

Word by Word

• गो-भू-तिल-हिरण्यानि: cows, land, sesame, and gold
• गो-भू-तिल-हिरण्यानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + भू (प्रातिपदिक) + तिल (प्रातिपदिक) + हिरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (cows, land, sesame, gold)

• दानानि: gifts/charities
• दानानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• आहुः: they say/declare
• आहुः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• स्व-शक्तितः: according to one's capacity
• स्व-शक्तितः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय (तसिल्/तस्-प्रत्ययान्त), अर्थे: 'यथाशक्ति/स्वशक्त्या' (according to one's ability)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna should be performed svāśakti-taḥ—according to one’s means—especially for staple meritorious gifts (cow, land, sesame, gold).

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as harmonizing principle; avoidance of adharma through overreach; sattvic giving without ego or ruinous strain.

Application: Plan charitable giving sustainably; prioritize high-impact essentials (food security, shelter/land support, education, healthcare) within budget.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.31.16 (proportional fruit); Garuda Purana 2.31.20 (small gift with great merit in right context)

FAQs

What is the importance of dana (charity) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse emphasizes that specific meritorious gifts (cow, land, sesame, gold) are praised, and that the key principle is giving in proportion to one’s means—supporting dharma without causing hardship.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda context, prescribed gifts and rites are presented as supportive merits for the departed; this line frames such giving as an attainable duty, calibrated to the family’s capacity.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Perform charity connected to funeral/shraddha observances without financial strain—offer what you can (including symbolic or modest equivalents), with sincerity and dharmic intent.