Shloka 39

Vaitaraṇī: Torments of the Sinful, Sins Enumerated, and the Vaitaraṇī Go-dāna Rite

Devanagari script

दानधर्मविहीनानां कृपणैर्जीवेतक्षितैः / अस्थिरेण शरीरेण स्थिरं कर्म समाचरेत्

Transliteration

dānadharmavihīnānāṃ kṛpaṇairjīvetakṣitaiḥ / asthireṇa śarīreṇa sthiraṃ karma samācaret

Translation

దానధర్మం లేనివారు కృపణులని నిందింపబడి జీవిస్తారు. ఈ అస్థిర శరీరంతోనైనా స్థిరమైన (పుణ్య) కర్మలను శ్రద్ధగా ఆచరించాలి.

Word by Word

• dāna-dharma-vihīnānām: of those lacking charity and dharma
• dāna-dharma-vihīnānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक) + dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + vihīna (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √hā + kta with vi-)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; tatpuruṣa chain ‘of those devoid of charity and dharma’

• kṛpaṇaiḥ: by misers
• kṛpaṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛpaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• jīveta: should live
• jīveta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jīv (धातु)
• Form: Liṅ (लिङ्, optative/vidhi), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular; ‘should live’

• akṣitaiḥ: unharmed/undiminished
• akṣitaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: akṣita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; qualifies ‘kṛpaṇaiḥ’ (unharmed/undiminished; or ‘uninjured’)

• asthireṇa: unstable/impermanent
• asthireṇa: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: asthira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; qualifies ‘śarīreṇa’

• śarīreṇa: with the body
• śarīreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śarīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• sthiram: lasting/steady
• sthiram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthira (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifies ‘karma’

• karma: deed/action
• karma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• samācaret: should perform/practice
• samācaret: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√car (धातु)
• Form: Liṅ (लिङ्, optative), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular; ‘should practice/perform properly’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: A life without dana and dharma is blameworthy; though the body is unstable, one should perform enduring meritorious action.

Vedantic Theme: Anitya of the body vs relative continuity of karma/vasana; cultivate sattva through dharmic conduct.

Application: Adopt consistent practices: daily giving (even small), truthfulness, non-harm, and service; build habits that outlast moods and circumstances.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: condemnation of kripana (miserliness) and praise of dana (general); Garuda Purana: impermanence of body and need for dharma (general)

Characters & Entities

• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse states that lacking dāna and dharma leads to a blameworthy, miserly life, while charity and righteous conduct create “enduring” merit that supports one beyond the body.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Preta Kanda?

By stressing the body’s impermanence and the lasting nature of karma, it frames after-death consequences as shaped chiefly by one’s dharmic and charitable actions rather than worldly possessions.

What is a practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat time and health as uncertain, and prioritize consistent charity and ethical duty—small, regular acts of giving and dharmic living that build lasting spiritual merit.