Shloka 57

The Glory of Charity: Land-Gifts, Śālagrāma Donation, and Food–Water as Supreme Gifts

Devanagari script

दानं दाता प्रतिग्राही न स्मरेच्च न याचते । निरये चोभयोर्वासो यावच्चंद्र दिवाकरौ

Transliteration

dānaṃ dātā pratigrāhī na smarecca na yācate | niraye cobhayorvāso yāvaccaṃdra divākarau

Translation

Dalam hal sedekah, baik pemberi mahupun penerima jangan mengungkitnya lagi dan jangan menuntutnya; jika tidak, kedua-duanya akan tinggal di neraka selama bulan dan matahari masih wujud.

Word by Word

दानम्the gift

दाताthe giver

प्रतिग्राहीthe receiver

नnot

स्मरेत्should remember

चand

नnot

याचतेbegs/asks

निरयेin hell

चand

उभयोःof both (giver and receiver)

वासःdwelling/abode

यावत्as long as

चन्द्रःthe moon

दिवाकरौthe suns (sun and moon pair per dual usage)

Speaker

Unspecified (narrative voice within Brahma-khaṇḍa context; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्मरेच्च = स्मरेत् + च (त् + च → च्च). चोभयोः = च + उभयोः. यावच्चंद्र = यावत् + चन्द्रः (त् + च → च्च).

FAQs

What ethical rule about charity (dāna) is taught in this verse?

It teaches that charity should be given and accepted without later reminders, boasting, or repeated requests—dāna should be free from bargaining and self-interest.

Why does the verse warn both the giver and the receiver?

Because both can corrupt the act of charity: the giver by repeatedly mentioning it, and the receiver by repeatedly asking—both turn dāna into a transactional act.

What is the practical moral lesson for daily life?

Give quietly and without expecting recognition, and receive without pressuring others; preserve the purity of generosity and gratitude.