Shloka 88

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

वैशेषिकं धनं दृष्टं ब्राह्मणस्य त्रिलक्षणम् / याजनाध्यापने नित्यं विशुद्धश्च (द्धाच्च) प्रतिग्रहः

Transliteration

vaiśeṣikaṃ dhanaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ brāhmaṇasya trilakṣaṇam / yājanādhyāpane nityaṃ viśuddhaśca (ddhācca) pratigrahaḥ

Translation

బ్రాహ్మణుని ప్రత్యేక (యోగ్య) ధనం మూడు లక్షణాలతో గుర్తించబడుతుంది—నిత్య యాజనం (యజ్ఞాలు నిర్వహించడం), నిత్య అధ్యాపనం (శాస్త్రబోధ), మరియు శుద్ధంగా పొందిన దానమే స్వీకరించడం।

Word by Word

• वैशेषिकम्: special/particular (as prescribed)
• वैशेषिकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैशेषिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (neuter nom/acc sg)

• धनम्: wealth
• धनम्: Karma/Pratipādya (Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• दृष्टम्: is regarded/seen
• दृष्टम्: Kriya (Predicative/क्रिया-भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु) → दृष्ट (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोगः (seen/considered)

• ब्राह्मणस्य: of a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन (masculine genitive singular)

• त्रिलक्षणम्: having three characteristics
• त्रिलक्षणम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि-लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक; त्रि + लक्षण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (neuter nom/acc sg)

• याजन: in officiating (sacrifices)
• याजन: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: याजन् (प्रातिपदिक; √यज्-णिच् अर्थे ‘याजन’ = officiating sacrifice)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वे प्रथमपदम् (locative singular; first member of a coordination)

• अध्यापने: in teaching (the Veda)
• अध्यापने: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्यापन (प्रातिपदिक; √अधि-आप्/√पठ् caus. sense ‘to teach’)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; याजन-अध्यापने इति समाहार-द्वन्द्वार्थः (locative singular; coordinated with previous)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kala/Avadhi (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (accusative used adverbially: 'always')

• विशुद्धः: pure
• विशुद्धः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक; √शुध्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (masculine nominative singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• प्रतिग्रहः: acceptance (of gifts)
• प्रतिग्रहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक; प्रति+ग्रह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन (masculine nominative singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Brāhmaṇa’s proper wealth is tied to yajña-officiation, teaching, and accepting only ritually/morally pure gifts.

Vedantic Theme: Śuddhi (purity) as a prerequisite for sattvic livelihood; artha subordinated to dharma and jñāna.

Application: Earn primarily through teaching and priestly service; vet donations for ethical sourcing; refuse tainted patronage that compromises integrity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.87 (general wealth triad); Garuda Purana 1.213.89-91 (other varṇas and prohibited livelihoods)

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa

FAQs

What is the importance of pure pratigraha (accepting gifts) in Garuda Purana?

This verse treats purity of the gift’s source and intent as essential; receiving only what is “viśuddha” preserves a brāhmaṇa’s dharma and prevents livelihood from becoming ethically or ritually tainted.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames livelihood as dharmic action: right conduct in yājana, adhyāpana, and pure receiving supports merit (puṇya), which the Garuda Purana links to favorable post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Earn through teaching/service with integrity, avoid unethical funding, and accept support only when it is honestly obtained—so one’s work and spiritual practice remain clean and trustworthy.