Shloka 18
Moksha and Svarga through Dāna, Tīrtha, Nāma-smaraṇa, and Bhāva
दत्त्वा दानानि विप्रेभ्यस्ततो मोक्षमवाप्नुयात् / एते वै मोक्षमार्गाश्च स्वर्गमार्गास्तथैव च
dattvā dānāni viprebhyastato mokṣamavāpnuyāt / ete vai mokṣamārgāśca svargamārgāstathaiva ca
വിപ്രന്മാർക്ക് ദാനങ്ങൾ നൽകി പിന്നെ മോക്ഷം പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു. ഇവ തന്നെയാണ് മോക്ഷമാർഗങ്ങൾ; അതുപോലെ സ്വർഗമാർഗങ്ങളും ഇവ തന്നെയാണ്.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)
Concept: Dāna to worthy recipients purifies and becomes a recognized mārga leading to svarga and, in a higher sense, mokṣa.
Vedantic Theme: Citta-śuddhi through karma (dāna) as an aid to liberation; gradation of fruits (svarga vs mokṣa) depending on intention and knowledge.
Application: Practice regular, discerning charity (annadāna/vastradāna/vidyādāna) to learned and ethical recipients; cultivate non-attachment to the fruit while dedicating the act to Viṣṇu.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta-kalpa/Dharma sections): repeated praise of dāna, brāhmaṇa-satkara, and their post-mortem fruits; Garuda Purana: svarga is finite; mokṣa is higher—often contrasted in adjacent teachings
FAQs
This verse states that giving charitable gifts to vipras (learned Brahmins) is a meritorious act that becomes a recognized route to higher post-death destinations—culminating in moksha or leading to svarga depending on one’s spiritual maturity and accumulated merit.
It frames dāna as a practical dharmic action that generates punya (merit), which supports auspicious post-death outcomes—either progress toward liberation (moksha) or ascent to heavenly realms (svarga).
Practice ethical giving—support learned teachers, priests, and authentic spiritual service—offering with humility and right intention, treating charity as a discipline for purification and detachment.