Shloka 73
Kāraṇānvēṣaṇam: The 32 Marks of Hari, Defects (Doṣas), Death-Omens, and Hari’s Omnipresence in Social & Household Life
अज्ञातत्वे चान्नपानादिकं च दत्तं संतो व्यर्थमेवं वदन्ति / हरिं वक्ष्ये तत्रतत्र स्थितं चं तं वै शृणु त्वादरेणाद्य नित्यम्
ajñātatve cānnapānādikaṃ ca dattaṃ saṃto vyarthamevaṃ vadanti / hariṃ vakṣye tatratatra sthitaṃ caṃ taṃ vai śṛṇu tvādareṇādya nityam
เมื่อผู้รับไม่เป็นที่รู้จัก แม้การถวายอาหาร น้ำดื่ม และสิ่งอื่นๆ ที่คนดีทำ ก็กล่าวกันว่าเป็นหมันไปดังนี้ เพราะฉะนั้นเราจักกล่าวถึงพระหริ ผู้สถิตอยู่ที่นั้นๆ และสถิตทั่วทุกแห่ง; ท่านจงฟังด้วยความเคารพ ตั้งแต่วันนี้เป็นต้นไปเสมอเถิด.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: When the recipient is unknown and offerings risk becoming ‘vyartha’, direct the act and hearing toward Hari, the omnipresent support; devotion resolves uncertainty of address.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-sarvavyāpitva (God’s omnipresence) as a stable locus for dedication; bhakti as a purifier and guarantor of meaningful action.
Application: Dedicate charity/ritual to Vishnu (Hari) when beneficiary is uncertain; cultivate daily śravaṇa (listening) with reverence as a steady practice.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.22.72-74 (intention → problem of unknown recipient → Hari-centered solution)
FAQs
This verse states that if the recipient is unknown, even sincere gifts like food and drink may be considered fruitless; rites and charity should be done with proper intention and rightful address.
It redirects attention from merely external giving to remembrance of Hari, implying that divine presence and devotion provide reliable support across all stages of the post-death journey.
Perform charity and ritual offerings responsibly—ensure the right beneficiary and clear intent—and cultivate daily remembrance of Vishnu as a steady spiritual anchor.