Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules
आचार्याय प्रदातव्या ब्राह्मणाय कुटुम्बिने / गृहीते ब्राह्मणस्तत्र को ऽदादिति च कीर्तयेत्
ācāryāya pradātavyā brāhmaṇāya kuṭumbine / gṛhīte brāhmaṇastatra ko 'dāditi ca kīrtayet
ทานนี้พึงถวายแด่อาจารย์ คือพราหมณ์ผู้ครองเรือน ครั้นพราหมณ์รับแล้ว พึงประกาศ ณ ที่นั้นว่า “ผู้ใดเป็นผู้ถวายทานนี้?”
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)
Concept: Dāna must be given to a qualified recipient (ācārya/gṛhastha-brāhmaṇa) and publicly affirmed to complete the rite.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: right action with proper adhikāra (fitness) and niyama (procedure) purifies the doer.
Application: When donating, prioritize qualified stewards/teachers; complete the act with clear attribution and transparency (record/announce) to avoid ambiguity and ensure accountability.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: ritual-space (dana-sthala/agrahara/home)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.34.99-101 (procedure and fruit of dāna); Garuda Purana 2.34.100 (improper division of certain gifts)
This verse emphasizes that gifts connected with after-death rites should be offered to a qualified acharya—specifically a householding Brahmana—so the rite is properly received and sanctified.
The instruction indicates a formal declaration of the donor’s act once the gift is accepted, marking the dana as completed and publicly affirmed within the ritual context.
When performing shraddha or memorial charity, give respectfully to a competent priest/teacher who lives by dharma, and complete the act with clear intention and proper acknowledgement rather than treating it as a casual transaction.