Shloka 83

Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas

with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

शालग्रामस्य दानं तु दुर्लभं तत्र वै नृणाम् / लक्ष्मीनारायणस्यैव मूर्तेर्दानं सुदुर्लभम्

Transliteration

śālagrāmasya dānaṃ tu durlabhaṃ tatra vai nṛṇām / lakṣmīnārāyaṇasyaiva mūrterdānaṃ sudurlabham

Translation

शालग्रामस्य दानं तु दुर्लभं तत्र वै नृणाम्। लक्ष्मीनारायणस्यैव मूर्तेर्दानं सुदुर्लभम्॥

Word by Word

• शालग्रामस्य: of Śālagrāma
• शालग्रामस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शालग्राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन — of Śālagrāma (sacred stone)

• दानम्: gift/donation
• दानम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; ‘giving’ as topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — the act of giving

• तु: indeed
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय — particle (indeed/but)

• दुर्लभम्: rare
• दुर्लभम्: विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — predicative

• तत्र: there/in that matter
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• वै: indeed
• वै: सम्बन्ध (Emphasis particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• नृणाम्: of people
• नृणाम्: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — of men/people

• लक्ष्मी-नारायणस्य: of Lakshmi-Narayana
• लक्ष्मी-नारायणस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मी (प्रातिपदिक) + नारायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन — of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa (the deity)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: सम्बन्ध (Restriction particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (restrictive particle: only/indeed)

• मूर्तेः: of the image
• मूर्तेः: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन — of the image

• दानम्: donation
• दानम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; ‘giving’ as topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — donation

• सुदुर्लभम्: very rare
• सुदुर्लभम्: विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — ‘very rare’; सु- as intensifier

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna of Viṣṇu-associated sacred forms (Śālagrāma, Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa mūrti) is rare and highly meritorious, implying devotion expressed through consecrated giving.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-bhakti supported by arcā-upāsanā; sacred form as a concrete focus for surrender and merit within dharma.

Application: If gifting sacred icons, ensure authenticity, purity, and proper consecration/handing-over; prioritize supporting temples, daily worship, and qualified recipients; cultivate devotion rather than mere display.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26 (dāna-mahātmyas; arcā/śālagrāma praise in surrounding verses)

Characters & Entities

• Shalagrama
• Lakshmi
• Narayana
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of Śālagrāma dāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Śālagrāma-gifting as a rare and highly meritorious act, implying exceptional spiritual value when offered with devotion and proper intent.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on afterlife merit?

In the Preta-kāṇḍa context, dāna is presented as a powerful source of puṇya; gifting sacred Viṣṇu-associated objects (Śālagrāma, Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa mūrti) is portrayed as especially difficult and therefore spiritually significant.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice sincere charity connected with dharma—support Viṣṇu temples, sponsor sacred worship items responsibly, and give with purity of intention rather than display.