Shloka 88
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
कलौ नृणां तस्य लाभो दुर्लभः संस्मृतो भुवि / दानं च सुतरां देवि दर्लभं किं वदामि ते
kalau nṛṇāṃ tasya lābho durlabhaḥ saṃsmṛto bhuvi / dānaṃ ca sutarāṃ devi darlabhaṃ kiṃ vadāmi te
కలియుగంలో మనుష్యులకు ఆ లాభము భూమిపై దుర్లభమని స్మృతిలో చెప్పబడింది. దానం అయితే, ఓ దేవీ, మరింత దుర్లభం—నీకు ఇంకేమి చెప్పుదును?
Lord Vishnu (narrating/teaching)
Concept: In Kali-yuga, genuine attainment of spiritual good and especially charity (dana) becomes rare; therefore one must be vigilant and intentional.
Vedantic Theme: Kali-yuga as a time of diminished sattva; deliberate dharmic action supports purification (chitta-shuddhi) and readiness for bhakti/jnana.
Application: Set fixed, sustainable dana (time/food/money/skills) and protect it from procrastination; prioritize sattvic giving without expectation.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cosmic plane
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Kali-yuga dharma decline motifs (general); Garuda Purana: dana-mahatmya and vrata discussions (general)
FAQs
This verse states that in Kali Yuga true spiritual gain is hard to attain, and dāna is even harder to practice; therefore, charity becomes a rare and highly valued expression of dharma.
The Garuda Purana repeatedly links merit (puṇya) to righteous conduct such as dāna; by emphasizing its rarity in Kali Yuga, the text underscores why accumulating merit through dharma supports one’s welfare beyond death.
Practice regular, sincere giving—food, support, service, or resources—within your means, as a disciplined dharmic habit rather than occasional impulse.