Shloka 6
Dāna-dharma: Threefold Classification, Right Recipients, Auspicious Timing, and Fruits of Gifts
यत्तु पापोपशान्त्यै च दीयते विदुपां करे / नैमित्तिकं तदुद्दिष्टन्दानं सद्भिरनुष्ठितम्
yattu pāpopaśāntyai ca dīyate vidupāṃ kare / naimittikaṃ taduddiṣṭandānaṃ sadbhiranuṣṭhitam
لیکن جو دان گناہوں کی تسکین و شانتِی کے لیے اہلِ علم کے ہاتھ میں دیا جائے، وہ ‘نَیمِتِک’ دان کہلاتا ہے؛ نیک لوگ اسے شاستر کے حکم کے مطابق ادا کرتے ہیں۔
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Naimittika-dana: occasional/causal charity performed for sin-pacification, properly directed to the learned, is a prescribed observance of the virtuous.
Vedantic Theme: Karma as purifier (chitta-shuddhi) when aligned with dharma and right recipient; intention and context determine karmic quality.
Application: When seeking atonement, pair inner resolve (avoid repetition) with a dharmic act: donate to qualified teachers/learned persons or institutions of learning, explicitly dedicating it to papa-upashanti.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.51.5-1.51.8: classification of dana by motive (nitya/naimittika/kamya/vimala)
FAQs
This verse defines naimittika dāna as charity done for a specific cause—especially pāpa-śānti (pacifying sins)—and treats it as a righteous, prescribed observance when offered to the learned.
By emphasizing pāpa-śānti through properly directed charity, it implies that ethical and ritual remedies reduce karmic burden, supporting a more favorable post-death course governed by one’s accumulated merits and demerits.
Give intentionally: when seeking moral correction after wrongdoing, offer charity in a focused way—supporting genuine learning, teaching, and dharmic service—rather than giving casually or for display.