Shloka 10

Vow-Fasting (Anaśana), Sannyāsa, Tīrtha-Death, and the Ethics of Dāna

Devanagari script

अहन्यहनि दातव्यं ब्राह्मणानाञ्च भोजनम् / तिलपात्रं यथाशक्ति दीपदानं सुरार्चनम्

Transliteration

ahanyahani dātavyaṃ brāhmaṇānāñca bhojanam / tilapātraṃ yathāśakti dīpadānaṃ surārcanam

Translation

ప్రతిదినం బ్రాహ్మణులకు భోజనదానం చేయవలెను; అలాగే యథాశక్తి తిలపాత్రదానం, దీపదానం చేసి దేవార్చన చేయవలెను।

Word by Word

• अहनि-अहनि: day by day
• अहनि-अहनि: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अहन्/अहनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; पुनरुक्त-अव्ययार्थ (each day, day by day)

• दातव्यम्: should be given
• दातव्यम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) → दातव्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive/obligatory); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय (it should be given)

• ब्राह्मणानाम्: to/for Brahmins (of Brahmins)
• ब्राह्मणानाम्: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी (6th/genitive), बहुवचन (pl.)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (and)

• भोजनम्: food/meal
• भोजनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; दातव्यस्य कर्म (thing to be given)

• तिल-पात्रम्: a vessel (filled) with sesame
• तिल-पात्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक) + पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (तिलस्य पात्रम्)

• यथा-शक्ति: according to one’s capacity
• यथा-शक्ति: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; परिमाण/योग्यतार्थक अव्यय (according to ability)

• दीप-दानम्: gift of a lamp
• दीप-दानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (दीपस्य दानम्)

• सुर-अर्चनम्: worship of the gods
• सुर-अर्चनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सुराणाम् अर्चनम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nitya dāna and pūjā: daily feeding of brāhmaṇas, tila-pātra, dīpa-dāna, and deva-arcana according to capacity.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga: sanctifying daily action through offering, generosity, and worship; cultivating sattva and gratitude.

Application: Practice regular charity (especially food), support learned/spiritual communities ethically, offer lamps (or equivalent acts of illumination), and maintain daily worship/meditation within one’s means.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: household/temple context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha/dāna sections frequently praise anna-dāna, tila-dāna, and dīpa-dāna as high merit acts

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas
• Devas (Suras)

FAQs

What is the importance of daily dana (charity) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes consistent, day-by-day giving—especially feeding brāhmaṇas—as a core dharmic practice that supports auspicious outcomes and strengthens Shraddha-aligned merit.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and the preta journey?

In the Preta Kanda context, such regular acts—food-giving, tila offerings, and dīpa-dāna—are presented as supportive observances that build punya (merit) associated with post-death rites and remembrance duties.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Maintain a steady habit of charity within your means: feed the needy or qualified recipients, offer sesame as a symbolic gift, light or donate lamps (supporting temples/charities), and keep regular Deva worship as a disciplined dharmic routine.