Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 10

Vow-Fasting (Anaśana), Sannyāsa, Tīrtha-Death, and the Ethics of Dāna

Devanagari script

अहन्यहनि दातव्यं ब्राह्मणानाञ्च भोजनम् / तिलपात्रं यथाशक्ति दीपदानं सुरार्चनम्

Transliteration

ahanyahani dātavyaṃ brāhmaṇānāñca bhojanam / tilapātraṃ yathāśakti dīpadānaṃ surārcanam

Translation

ہر روز برہمنوں کو بھوجن دان دینا چاہیے؛ اور اپنی استطاعت کے مطابق تل کا پاتر دان، دیپ دان اور دیوتاؤں کی ارچنا کرنی چاہیے۔

Word by Word

• अहनि-अहनि: day by day
• अहनि-अहनि: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अहन्/अहनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; पुनरुक्त-अव्ययार्थ (each day, day by day)

• दातव्यम्: should be given
• दातव्यम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) → दातव्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive/obligatory); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय (it should be given)

• ब्राह्मणानाम्: to/for Brahmins (of Brahmins)
• ब्राह्मणानाम्: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी (6th/genitive), बहुवचन (pl.)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (and)

• भोजनम्: food/meal
• भोजनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; दातव्यस्य कर्म (thing to be given)

• तिल-पात्रम्: a vessel (filled) with sesame
• तिल-पात्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक) + पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (तिलस्य पात्रम्)

• यथा-शक्ति: according to one’s capacity
• यथा-शक्ति: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; परिमाण/योग्यतार्थक अव्यय (according to ability)

• दीप-दानम्: gift of a lamp
• दीप-दानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (दीपस्य दानम्)

• सुर-अर्चनम्: worship of the gods
• सुर-अर्चनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सुराणाम् अर्चनम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nitya dāna and pūjā: daily feeding of brāhmaṇas, tila-pātra, dīpa-dāna, and deva-arcana according to capacity.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga: sanctifying daily action through offering, generosity, and worship; cultivating sattva and gratitude.

Application: Practice regular charity (especially food), support learned/spiritual communities ethically, offer lamps (or equivalent acts of illumination), and maintain daily worship/meditation within one’s means.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: household/temple context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha/dāna sections frequently praise anna-dāna, tila-dāna, and dīpa-dāna as high merit acts

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas
• Devas (Suras)

FAQs

What is the importance of daily dana (charity) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes consistent, day-by-day giving—especially feeding brāhmaṇas—as a core dharmic practice that supports auspicious outcomes and strengthens Shraddha-aligned merit.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and the preta journey?

In the Preta Kanda context, such regular acts—food-giving, tila offerings, and dīpa-dāna—are presented as supportive observances that build punya (merit) associated with post-death rites and remembrance duties.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Maintain a steady habit of charity within your means: feed the needy or qualified recipients, offer sesame as a symbolic gift, light or donate lamps (supporting temples/charities), and keep regular Deva worship as a disciplined dharmic routine.