Shloka 6

Dāna-vidhi: Pātra-nirṇaya, Go-dāna-mahima, and Rules of Acceptance

Devanagari script

दशसौवर्णिकं शृङ्गं शफं सप्तपलैः कृतम् / पञ्चाशत्पलिकं पात्रं कांस्यं वत्सस्य कीर्त्यते

Transliteration

daśasauvarṇikaṃ śṛṅgaṃ śaphaṃ saptapalaiḥ kṛtam / pañcāśatpalikaṃ pātraṃ kāṃsyaṃ vatsasya kīrtyate

Translation

విధి ప్రకారం వత్సానికి కొమ్ము పది సువర్ణాల విలువగలది, ఖురం ఏడు పలల బరువుతో చేయబడినది, కాంస్య పాత్రం యాభై పలల బరువుగా చెప్పబడింది.

Word by Word

• दशसौवर्णिकम्: of ten suvarṇas (weight/value)
• दशसौवर्णिकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश + सौवर्णिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (of ten suvarṇas’ weight/value)

• शृङ्गम्: horn
• शृङ्गम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• शफम्: hoof
• शफम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शफ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• सप्तपलैः: with seven palas
• सप्तपलैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्त + पल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; द्विगु-समासः (with seven palas)

• कृतम्: made
• कृतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (made)

• पञ्चाशत्पलिकम्: of fifty palas
• पञ्चाशत्पलिकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चाशत् + पलिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (of fifty palas)

• पात्रम्: vessel
• पात्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• कांस्यम्: bronze
• कांस्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कांस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (made of bronze)

• वत्सस्य: of the calf
• वत्सस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• कीर्त्यते: is stated/mentioned
• कीर्त्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कीर्त् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम् (passive-like: is stated/mentioned)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Specification of prescribed values/weights for horn adornment, hoof plating, and bronze vessel in the go-dāna procedure.

Vedantic Theme: Order (ṛta-like regularity) in dharmic action; precision supports sincerity and prevents negligence or deceit in ritual obligations.

Application: When following traditional rites, adhere to agreed standards; in modern equivalents, define transparent benchmarks (fair valuation, quality standards) for pledged donations.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.98.5 (adorned cow and accompanying items)

FAQs

What is the importance of specifying weights and values in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse emphasizes precision in prescribed ritual gifts—weights (pala) and value (suvarṇa) are given so the dāna is performed according to dharma and tradition rather than arbitrarily.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals?

It belongs to the practical, procedural instructions connected with rites and donations associated with end-of-life and post-death observances, detailing the required specifications of items used or gifted.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing traditional rites, follow an authentic lineage or priestly guidance and keep the spirit of disciplined, sincere giving—accuracy and intention are both treated as part of dharma.