Shloka 45
Praise of Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-release), Worthy Dāna, and the Procedure for Kṣayāha & Ūrdhva-daihika Rites
दीनानाथविशिष्टेभ्यो दद्याच्छक्त्या च दक्षिणाम् / एवं यः कुरुते तार्क्ष्य पुत्रवानप्यपुत्रवान्
dīnānāthaviśiṣṭebhyo dadyācchaktyā ca dakṣiṇām / evaṃ yaḥ kurute tārkṣya putravānapyaputravān
Menurut kemampuan, hendaklah dipersembahkan dakṣiṇā (upah suci) kepada mereka yang berbakti melindungi orang miskin dan yang tidak berdaya. Wahai Tārkṣya (Garuda), sesiapa berbuat demikian—walau mempunyai anak—menjadi seperti tidak beranak, yakni tidak memperoleh manfaat buah keturunan.
Lord Vishnu (addressing Garuda/Tārkṣya)
Concept: Dakṣiṇā given according to capacity to dharmic recipients sustains merit; neglect can nullify the ‘putra-phala’ (benefit of having a son).
Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala-niyama (law of results) within gṛhastha-dharma; merit depends on right giving and right recipient (dāna-vidhi).
Application: Give proportionate charity/dakṣiṇā to worthy, service-oriented recipients; treat support of the vulnerable as a dharmic obligation, not optional generosity.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta/Śrāddha sections): repeated emphasis on dāna and dakṣiṇā as supports for śrāddha efficacy and post-mortem welfare; Garuda Purana: themes of putra-phala and the role of rites/dāna when progeny is absent or ineffective
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that dakṣiṇā should be given in a dharmic way—according to one’s means and to worthy recipients—because the spiritual “fruit” of rites depends on right intention and right giving.
It warns that a person may be biologically “with a son,” yet become spiritually “as sonless” if they act contrary to dharma in matters like charity—losing the expected religious merit and support traditionally associated with progeny.
Give donations within your capacity, prioritize genuinely vulnerable or service-oriented recipients, and treat giving as a dharmic responsibility rather than a mere transaction for merit.