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
Dengan bersedekah dan memberi dana kepada para Brahmana dan resi, seseorang memperoleh moksha (pembebasan). Sesungguhnya inilah jalan menuju moksha, dan demikian juga jalan menuju syurga.
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.