Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

अध्यापनं याजनं च वृत्तमाहुः प्रतिग्रहम् / कुसीदं कृषिवाणिज्यं क्षत्त्रवृत्तो ऽथ वर्जयेत्

Transliteration

adhyāpanaṃ yājanaṃ ca vṛttamāhuḥ pratigraham / kusīdaṃ kṛṣivāṇijyaṃ kṣattravṛtto 'tha varjayet

Translation

تعلیم دینا، یاجن (یَجْن کرانا) اور پرتیگرہ (ہدیہ قبول کرنا)—یہ روزی کے طریقے کہے گئے ہیں۔ مگر سودی لین دین، کھیتی اور تجارت—ان سے کشتریہ وِرتی والا پرہیز کرے۔

Word by Word

• अध्यापनम्: teaching
• अध्यापनम्: Karma/Predicate nominal (Object or complement/कर्म-प्रत्यय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधि + आप्/आप् (धातु) + णिच्? (कारण) + अन (कृत्) ; प्रातिपदिकरूपेण अध्यापन
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; भाववाचक कृत् (teaching as an act)

• याजनम्: officiating sacrifices (for others)
• याजनम्: Karma/Predicate nominal (Object or complement/कर्म-प्रत्यय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज् (धातु) + णिच् (causative) + अन (कृत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; भाववाचक कृत् (causing sacrifice/performing as priest)

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• वृत्तम्: livelihood, occupation
• वृत्तम्: Karma/Predicate nominal (Object or complement/कर्म-प्रत्यय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; ‘जीविका/वृत्ति’ अर्थे

• आहुः: they say
• आहुः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह् (धातु)
• Form: लकारः लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), पुरुषः प्रथमः (3rd), वचनम् बहुवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• प्रतिग्रहम्: accepting gifts
• प्रतिग्रहम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रति + ग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• कुसीदम्: usury, lending at interest
• कुसीदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुसीद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• कृषिवाणिज्यम्: agriculture and trade
• कृषिवाणिज्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृषि + वाणिज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (agriculture and trade)

• क्षत्त्रवृत्तः: one of Kṣatriya profession
• क्षत्त्रवृत्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्त्र + वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचनम्; ‘क्षत्रवृत्ति-युक्तः’ (one following Kṣatriya-occupation)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Discourse connector (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/अनन्तरार्थ (then/now)

• वर्जयेत्: should avoid
• वर्जयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृज्/वर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: लकारः विधिलिङ् (Optative), पुरुषः प्रथमः (3rd), वचनम् एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Appropriate livelihoods (vṛtti) are prescribed; certain occupations (usury, agriculture, trade) are restricted for a Kṣatriya by vocation in this framing.

Vedantic Theme: Svadharma as a means of inner order; role-aligned action reduces conflict and supports sattva for higher pursuits.

Application: Choose livelihood consistent with one’s responsibilities and ethical constraints; avoid exploitative profit (e.g., predatory interest).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: normative social sphere (varna-āśrama polity)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: varṇa/ācāra discussions on livelihood and prohibited means; Garuda Purana: condemnation of harmful economic practices as papa-generating

FAQs

What is the importance of varṇa-based livelihood (vṛtti) in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse emphasizes that livelihood should align with one’s dharma and social duty, discouraging professions seen as incompatible with the Kṣatriya role and ethical order.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuḍa Purāṇa context?

While not describing the afterlife directly, it frames righteous livelihood as a foundation of karma; dharmic conduct supports spiritual well-being and reduces actions that can lead to negative karmic outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose work that supports integrity and social responsibility, avoid exploitative profit (such as predatory interest), and ensure one’s earning aligns with ethical duty and self-discipline.