Shloka 78

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मदानसमं पुण्यं प्राप्नोति द्विगुणीकृतम्

Transliteration

brahmadānasamaṃ puṇyaṃ prāpnoti dviguṇīkṛtam

Translation

Ia memperoleh pahala setara dengan brahma-dāna, iaitu sedekah ilmu suci, dan pahala itu menjadi berlipat dua.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मदानसमम्: equal to a gift of sacred knowledge (brahmadāna)
• ब्रह्मदानसमम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मदान + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मदानस्य समम्)

• पुण्यम्: merit
• पुण्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्राप्नोति: attains
• प्राप्नोति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √प्राप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present indicative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• द्विगुणीकृतम्: doubled
• द्विगुणीकृतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि + गुण + √कृ (धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) ‘made double’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Brahma-dāna (gift of sacred knowledge) yields extraordinary puṇya, here stated as equal and doubled.

Vedantic Theme: Knowledge as the highest gift; dharma that supports jñāna becomes a direct purifier of the giver’s antaḥkaraṇa.

Application: Prioritize supporting teaching, study, and transmission of śāstra; sponsor education, scholarships, and qualified instruction.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.77 (manuscript-dāna); Garuda Purana 1.213.79-81 (supporting dependents and atithi)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma-dana

FAQs

What is the importance of brahma-dāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse elevates brahma-dāna—sharing or gifting sacred knowledge—as a benchmark of the highest merit, indicating it yields exceptionally powerful spiritual results.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on karma and merit?

It presents a clear karmic principle: certain dharmic acts generate intensified spiritual merit, here described as merit equal to brahma-dāna and even doubled.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Support authentic learning and transmission of dharma—study sincerely, sponsor teaching or scriptures, and share knowledge responsibly—treating it as a high form of charity.