Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 36

Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift

Devanagari script

न तद्दानं प्रशंसन्ति येन वृत्तिर्विपद्यते । दानं यज्ञस्तप: कर्म लोके वृत्तिमतो यत: ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

na tad dānaṁ praśaṁsanti yena vṛttir vipadyate dānaṁ yajñas tapaḥ karma loke vṛttimato yataḥ

Translation

Hindi pinupuri ng mga pantas ang kawanggawang naglalagay sa sariling kabuhayan sa panganib. Ang pag-aalay, yajña, pagtitika, at mga gawaing may bunga ay posible lamang sa taong may kakayahang magpanatili ng wastong kabuhayan.

Synonyms

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); demonstrative pronoun

• dānam: gift; charity
• dānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• praśaṁsanti: they praise
• praśaṁsanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√śaṁs (शंस् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्/Present), Parasmaipada, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• yena: by which
• yena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter/Masculine, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); relative pronoun

• vṛttiḥ: livelihood; sustenance
• vṛttiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• vipadyate: is ruined; perishes
• vipadyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√pad (पद् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्/Present), Ātmanepada, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• dānam: charity
• dānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• yajñaḥ: sacrifice
• yajñaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• tapaḥ: austerity
• tapaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• karma: ritual action; work
• karma: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• loke: in the world
• loke: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• vṛttimataḥ: of one who has sustenance
• vṛttimataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक) + matup (मतुप्)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन); possessive adjective ‘having livelihood’

• yataḥ: because; since
• yataḥ: Hetu (हेतु/cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Relative/causal indeclinable (सम्बन्ध/हेतु-अव्यय): ‘from which/because’

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about charity that harms one’s livelihood?

This verse says such charity is not praised; giving should be done in a way that does not destroy one’s proper maintenance and duties.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize livelihood while discussing dharma in the Bhagavatam?

He highlights that pious acts like charity, sacrifice, and austerity are meant to be practiced responsibly, aligned with one’s capacity and worldly duties.

How can I apply this teaching on charity in modern life?

Give regularly and sincerely, but within your means—supporting dharmic causes without neglecting essential responsibilities like family upkeep and honest livelihood.