Varaha Purana 13.55: Adhyaya 13, Shloka 55
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
असमर्थोऽन्नदानस्य वन्यशाकं स्वशक्तितः । प्रदास्यति द्विजाग्र्येभ्यः स्वल्पां यो वापि दक्षिणाम् ॥ १३.५५ ॥
asamartho 'nnadānasya vanyaśākaṃ svaśaktitaḥ | pradāsyati dvijāgryebhyaḥ svalpāṃ yo vāpi dakṣiṇām || 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).
Varāha (default speaker framework)
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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