Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 2
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
ज्ञाननिष्ठाय देयानि कव्यान्यानन्त्यमिच्छता । दैवे च तदभावे स्यादितरेभ्यो यथार्हत: ॥ २ ॥
jñāna-niṣṭhāya deyāni kavyāny ānantyam icchatā daive ca tad-abhāve syād itarebhyo yathārhataḥ
Quem deseja a libertação para si ou para os antepassados deve oferecer as dádivas do śrāddha a um brāhmaṇa firme no jñāna; na falta dele, pode dá-las a um brāhmaṇa apegado ao karma, conforme o merecimento.
There are two processes by which to get free from material bondage. One involves jñāna-kāṇḍa and karma-kāṇḍa, and the other involves upāsanā-kāṇḍa. Vaiṣṇavas never want to merge into the existence of the Supreme; rather, they want to be everlastingly servants of the Lord to render loving service unto Him. In this verse the words ānantyam icchatā refer to persons who desire to achieve liberation from material bondage and merge into the existence of the Lord. Devotees, however, whose objective is to associate personally with the Lord, have no desire to accept the activities of karma-kāṇḍa or jñāna-kāṇḍa, for pure devotional service is above both karma-kāṇḍa and jñāna-kāṇḍa. Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam. In pure devotional service there is not even a pinch of jñāna or karma. Consequently, when Vaiṣṇavas distribute charity, they do not need to find a brāhmaṇa performing the activities of jñāna-kāṇḍa or karma-kāṇḍa. The best example in this regard is provided by Advaita Gosvāmī, who, after performing the śrāddha ceremony for his father, offered charity to Haridāsa Ṭhākura, although it was known to everyone that Haridāsa Ṭhākura was born in a Mohammedan family, not a brāhmaṇa family, and was not interested in the activities of jñāna-kāṇḍa or karma-kāṇḍa.
FAQs
This verse says that one seeking eternal benefit should give sacred offerings (including pitṛ-related gifts) to a person firmly established in spiritual knowledge; if such a recipient is unavailable, one should give to others according to their merit.
In his instructions on righteous conduct, Prahlāda teaches that charity bears its highest spiritual fruit when offered to a truly realized, steady knower of truth; such giving supports genuine spiritual culture and leads the giver toward liberation.
Support authentic spiritual teachers and sincere practitioners first; if they are not accessible, give responsibly to causes and people who are genuinely deserving, transparent, and beneficial to society.