Varaha Purana 13.55: Adhyaya 13, Shloka 55
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
Pūrva Bhāga · Dāna-dharma (Ethics of Giving)
असमर्थोऽन्नदानस्य वन्यशाकं स्वशक्तितः । प्रदास्यति द्विजाग्र्येभ्यः स्वल्पां यो वापि दक्षिणाम् ॥ १३.५५ ॥
asamartho 'nnadānasya vanyaśākaṃ svaśaktitaḥ | pradāsyati dvijāgryebhyaḥ svalpāṃ yo vāpi dakṣiṇām || 13.55 ||
asamartho.annadAnasya vanyashAkaM svashaktitaH | pradAsyatidvijAgryebhyaH svalpAM yo vApi dakShiNAm || 13.55 ||
Se alguém não puder oferecer o dom do alimento, então, conforme sua capacidade, deve dar verduras silvestres; ou oferecer mesmo uma pequena dakṣiṇā (honorário ritual) aos eminentes dvija (duas-vezes-nascidos).
Sandhi Notes
- असमर्थोऽन्नदानस्य = असमर्थः + अन्नदानस्य
Varāha
Concerned for the poor; seeking inclusivity of dharma
What dharmic act remains available when one cannot afford full anna-dāna?
Dharma is not blocked by poverty; one offers what one can—substance is secondary to sincerity.
When resources are tight, give modest staples, produce, or a token donation; maintain the habit of generosity without financial strain.
The verse teaches ‘graduated sacrifice’: the substance may be humble (forest greens), but the yajña-principle is preserved—offering what is truly available.
Vaṇya-śāka = simple havis from nature; dakṣiṇā = sacrificial fee completing the rite; capacity (śakti) = measure of adhikāra.
Inner disposition outweighs material magnitude; the Lord accepts the bhāva (intent) expressed through whatever is attainable.
If unable to give food, one should give wild vegetables according to capacity, or at least a small dakṣiṇā to worthy twice-born persons.
Even minimal giving sustains merit and humility; refusal to give anything when able to offer even a token implies hardening of heart and loss of dharmic credit.
13.13.54 (anna-dāna ideal); 13.13.56-57 (sesame and water as further minimum)
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic and Dharmaśāstric ethic: charity is graded by capacity, allowing participation in giving even when resources are limited.
No specific geographic location is named in this verse; it addresses a general ethical practice rather than sacred geography.
Give according to one’s means: if full food-giving is not possible, offer simpler provisions (like wild greens) or a modest dakṣiṇā to learned recipients.
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