Shloka 2
Dāna for the Preta: Supreme Gifts, Yama’s Pacification, and Viṣṇu-Smaraṇa at the Time of Death
देयमेकं महादानं कार्पासं चोत्तमोत्तमम् / येन दत्तेन प्रीयन्ते भूर्भुवः स्वरिति क्रमात्
deyamekaṃ mahādānaṃ kārpāsaṃ cottamottamam / yena dattena prīyante bhūrbhuvaḥ svariti kramāt
Hendaklah diberikan satu mahādāna yang tertinggi—kapas, yang paling utama antara yang utama; dengan pemberian itu, alam Bhūr, Bhuvaḥ dan Svaḥ menjadi reda dan berkenan menurut tertibnya.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Kārpāsa (cotton) as an ‘uttamottama’ mahādāna whose offering pleases the triloka.
Vedantic Theme: Sattvic giving and cosmic order (ṛta/dharma): right action harmonizes individual and worlds.
Application: Give clothing/cloth (or resources for it) as high-impact charity; prioritize warmth, dignity, and practical utility.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: cosmic realms
Related Themes: Garuda Purana dāna-kathana lists: vastra-dāna/pātra-dāna as preta-hitakara; Subsequent verse (2.30.3) linking this dāna to preta-uddhāra
FAQs
This verse treats cotton as a foremost mahādāna; offering it is said to gratify the cosmic realms (Bhūr, Bhuvaḥ, Svaḥ), implying strong ritual merit in post-death observances.
By linking dāna to the satisfaction of Bhūr–Bhuvaḥ–Svaḥ, the verse frames charity as a supportive merit that harmonizes the departed person’s ritual trajectory across progressively subtler realms.
Practice purposeful charity—especially donating useful cloth/cotton items with a sacred intent—alongside śrāddha and ethical living, treating giving as a disciplined, merit-building act.