Shloka 13
शृणु सत्यमिदं तार्क्ष्य यद्ददाति भुनक्ति सः / आत्मानं श्रेयसा युञ्ज्यात्प्रेतस्तृप्तिं चिरं व्रजेत्
śṛṇu satyamidaṃ tārkṣya yaddadāti bhunakti saḥ / ātmānaṃ śreyasā yuñjyātpretastṛptiṃ ciraṃ vrajet
हे तार्क्ष्य, हे सत्य ऐक—मनुष्य जे दान देतो तेच तो भोगतो। दानाने तो आत्म्याला परम श्रेयाशी जोडतो आणि प्रेत होऊन दीर्घकाळ तृप्ती पावतो।
Lord Vishnu
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: During preta period/annual memorial contexts where offerings are dedicated
Concept: Karma-phala reciprocity: ‘what one gives, one enjoys’; dāna links the self to śreyas and secures enduring satisfaction in the preta condition.
Vedantic Theme: Ethical causality and purification: outward generosity refines the inner self (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi), preparing for higher good; continuity of karmic results beyond death.
Application: Cultivate regular dāna (food, water, clothing, support) and perform śrāddha with generosity; treat giving as investment in long-term welfare (ihaloka and paraloka).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana statements on dāna as the companion of the soul after death; Garuda Purana on preta-tṛpti through offerings and the mechanics of subtle enjoyment
FAQs
This verse states that one experiences what one gives; dāna connects the giver to śreyas (the highest good) and supports lasting tṛpti (satisfaction) for the departed in the preta state.
It links post-death well-being (preta-tṛpti) to ethical action in life—especially giving—implying that merit created by dāna becomes a supportive experience for the departed consciousness.
Practice regular, sincere giving—food, support to the needy, and ritual charity when appropriate—cultivating merit and a dharmic mindset that the text associates with welfare in life and after death.