Shloka 16

The Greatness of Gayā

Gayā-Māhātmya

Devanagari script

पंचक्रोशं गयातीर्थं ब्राह्मणेभ्यो धनं ददौ । धर्मयागे तु लोभाद्वै प्रतिगृह्य धनादिकम् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

paṃcakrośaṃ gayātīrthaṃ brāhmaṇebhyo dhanaṃ dadau | dharmayāge tu lobhādvai pratigṛhya dhanādikam || 16 ||

Translation

Sa tīrtha ng Gayā na may lawak na limang krośa, nagkaloob Siya ng yaman sa mga brāhmaṇa; ngunit sa yajña para sa Dharma, dahil sa kasakiman, tumanggap Siya ng salapi at iba pang handog.

Word by Word

• पञ्चक्रोशम्: (a tract) of five krośas
• पञ्चक्रोशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + क्रोश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (numerical compound): 'पञ्च क्रोशाः प्रमाणं यस्य' (of five krośas); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• गयातीर्थम्: the Gayā pilgrimage-place
• गयातीर्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गया (प्रातिपदिक) + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): 'गयायाः तीर्थम्' (the tīrtha of Gayā); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• ब्राह्मणेभ्यः: to the Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणेभ्यः: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• धनम्: wealth
• धनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• धर्मयागे: in the dharma-sacrifice
• धर्मयागे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + याग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: 'धर्मार्थं यागः' / 'धर्मस्य यागः' (righteous sacrifice); पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• तु: but / indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle): contrast/emphasis

• लोभात्: from greed
• लोभात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle): emphasis/assurance

• प्रतिगृह्य: having accepted
• प्रतिगृह्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रतिग्रह्/ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund): 'having accepted/received'

• धन-आदिकम्: wealth and the like
• धन-आदिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (enumerative): 'धनं च आदिकं च' = 'wealth etc.'; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the Tirtha-Mahatmya discourse; traditional dialogue framework with Sanatkumara lineage as audience)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Gaya
• Brahmanas

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It contrasts outward merit (donating at the powerful Gayā-tīrtha) with inner intention, warning that greed can corrupt even a rite meant for Dharma.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

While not explicitly naming Bhakti, it supports a core devotional ethic: purity of motive and non-greed are necessary for offerings, pilgrimage, and religious acts to become truly God-oriented rather than self-serving.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual conduct (kalpa-oriented practice) is implied: proper yajña and dāna require right intention and disciplined acceptance of gifts; receiving wealth out of lobha is presented as a ritual-ethical fault.