Shloka 18

Dāna-dharma: Threefold Classification, Right Recipients, Auspicious Timing, and Fruits of Gifts

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणान्पूजयेद्दत्नाद्भोजयेद्योषितः सुरान् / सन्तानकामः सततं पूजयेद्वै पुरन्दरम्

Transliteration

brāhmaṇānpūjayeddatnādbhojayedyoṣitaḥ surān / santānakāmaḥ satataṃ pūjayedvai purandaram

Translation

دان دے کر برہمنوں کی تعظیم کرنی چاہیے اور عورتوں اور دیوتاؤں کو بھوجن کرانا چاہیے۔ جو اولاد کا خواہاں ہو وہ ہمیشہ پورندر (اِندر) کی پوجا کرے۔

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणान्: Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचनम्

• पूजयेत्: should honor/worship
• पूजयेत्: Kriya (Injunctive action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• दत्नात्: with gifts
• दत्नात्: Karana/Hetu (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, पञ्चमी (Ablative), एकवचनम्; हेतौ/उपायार्थे (as means: ‘with gifts’)

• भोजयेत्: should feed
• भोजयेत्: Kriya (Injunctive action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु, causative)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative: ‘cause to eat/feed’)

• योषितः: women
• योषितः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योषित् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचनम् (form used for acc.pl.); ‘women’

• सुरान्: gods
• सुरान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्

• सन्तानकामः: desiring offspring
• सन्तानकामः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सन्तान + काम (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सन्तानस्य कामः)

• सततम्: always
• सततम्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-प्रयोगः (adverbial accusative/neuter)

• पूजयेत्: should worship
• पूजयेत्: Kriya (Injunctive action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (particle; emphasis)

• पुरन्दरम्: Purandara (Indra)
• पुरन्दरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरन्दर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue instructing Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Gifts and honor to brāhmaṇas and generous feeding (hospitality) support worldly aims; for progeny, sustained worship of Purandara (Indra) is prescribed.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as harmonizer of kāma/artha: legitimate desires are pursued through sattvic means—service, generosity, and reverence.

Application: Practice respectful support of teachers/priests/scholars; maintain hospitality and care for women/family/community; for santāna-kāma, undertake a consistent Indra-oriented vrata or general deva-pūjā within one’s tradition.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: household ritual/social setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: household duties and dāna as supports for desired fruits (iṣṭa)

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇas
• Devas (Suras)
• Indra (Purandara)
• Women (Yoṣitaḥ)

FAQs

What is the importance of dāna and honoring Brāhmaṇas in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse presents honoring Brāhmaṇas with gifts and offering food as a core dharmic practice that supports auspicious outcomes and strengthens religious merit.

How does this verse relate to blessings for progeny (santāna)?

It explicitly links the desire for progeny with continuous worship of Purandara (Indra), indicating a prescribed devotional focus alongside charitable/ritual acts.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice respectful giving, support learned/ethical teachers, offer food in charity, and maintain consistent devotional discipline aligned with one’s tradition.