Shloka 22
Āśauca and Udaka-kriyā: Post-Cremation Conduct, Eligibility, and Purifiers
अकार्यकारिणां दानं वेगो नद्यास्तु शुद्धिकृत् / क्षात्त्रेण कर्मणा जीवेद्विशां वाप्यापदि द्विजः
akāryakāriṇāṃ dānaṃ vego nadyāstu śuddhikṛt / kṣāttreṇa karmaṇā jīvedviśāṃ vāpyāpadi dvijaḥ
جو لوگ ناروا کام کرتے ہیں اُنہیں دیا گیا دان ناموزوں سمجھا جائے؛ اور ندی کا تیز بہاؤ پاک کرنے والا ہے۔ مگر مصیبت میں دِوِج کشتریہ خدمت سے، یا ویشیہ کے طریقِ معاش سے بھی گزر بسر کر سکتا ہے۔
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Dana requires worthy recipients; river-current purifies; in distress a dvija may adopt kṣātra service or vaiśya means for survival (āpad-dharma).
Vedantic Theme: Ethics of intention and discernment (viveka) in giving; flexibility of social roles under necessity without losing dharmic orientation.
Application: Give with discrimination; use flowing water for purification when needed; in crisis, choose lawful, least-harm livelihood options even if outside one’s usual role, returning to normal duties when possible.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: river/ford
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.106 (dāna/śauca/āpad rules)
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that charity should be given to worthy recipients; giving to those engaged in improper conduct is treated as unsuitable and does not yield the intended dharmic merit.
It notes that the swift flow of a river is inherently purifying—supporting the idea that certain natural waters are ritually cleansing when used appropriately.
Practice intentional charity by supporting ethical recipients and causes; and in hardship, choose honest work—even outside one’s usual role—while keeping conduct disciplined and non-harmful.