Shloka 18

Devanagari script

न श्रोतव्यं द्विजेनैतदधो नयति तं द्विजम् / समर्थो यो न गृह्णीयाद्दातृलोकानवाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

na śrotavyaṃ dvijenaitadadho nayati taṃ dvijam / samartho yo na gṛhṇīyāddātṛlokānavāpnuyāt

Translation

ద్విజుడు ఈ (అనుచిత వాక్యాన్ని) వినకూడదు; అది అతన్ని అధోగతికి నెడుతుంది. అలాగే సామర్థ్యముండి కూడా (యథోచిత దానాన్ని) స్వీకరించనివాడు దాతృలోకాలను పొందడు।

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negation particle)

• श्रोतव्यम्: to be listened to
• श्रोतव्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √श्रु (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive/obligatory)

• द्विजेन: by a twice-born (brāhmaṇa etc.)
• द्विजेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अधः: downwards, below
• अधः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• नयति: leads
• नयति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √नी (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• द्विजम्: the twice-born person
• द्विजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• समर्थः: one who is capable/competent
• समर्थः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषण (used substantively)

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negation particle)

• गृह्णीयात्: should accept/take
• गृह्णीयात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• दातृलोकान्: worlds of givers/donors
• दातृलोकान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दातृ + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन

• अवाप्नुयात्: should obtain
• अवाप्नुयात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √आप् (धातु) + अव (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śravaṇa of improper discourse causes spiritual decline; refusing proper offerings despite capacity blocks attainment of merit-associated realms.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-saṃyama (restraint of the senses, especially hearing) and karma-bandha through acceptance/refusal governed by dharma.

Application: Curate what one listens to; accept appropriate support meant for dharmic purposes when one is a rightful recipient, without greed or contempt.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana dharma passages on śravaṇa-doṣa and pratigraha-niyama; acceptance/refusal rules continue in adjacent verses (1.98.19-20)

Characters & Entities

• Dvija (Brahmin)
• Dātā (giver/donor)

FAQs

What is the importance of accepting dāna (charity) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames acceptance by a qualified person as part of dharma: refusing what is properly offered—despite being eligible—causes loss of the merit-linked attainment described as reaching the donor’s merit-worlds.

How does this verse relate to after-death rites in the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda context, funeral and śrāddha-related gifts depend on proper transmission of merit; the verse warns that improper discourse degrades the dvija and that refusal to receive due offerings obstructs the intended spiritual fruit of giving.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain discernment about what teachings or speech you engage with, and if you are legitimately qualified to receive support or offerings tied to religious duties, do not reject them out of pride—ensure the giver’s intention and the rite’s integrity are honored.