Shloka 34
Saṅkara-jāti-nirṇaya and Gṛhastha-ācāra: Daily Rites, Purity, Anadhyāya, and Food Discipline
यज्ञार्थलब्धं नादद्याद्भासः काको ऽपि वा भवेत् / कुसूतकुम्भीधान्यो वा त्र्याहिकः श्वस्तनो ऽपि वा
yajñārthalabdhaṃ nādadyādbhāsaḥ kāko 'pi vā bhavet / kusūtakumbhīdhānyo vā tryāhikaḥ śvastano 'pi vā
Chớ nhận làm quà những vật đã thu được vì mục đích tế lễ; nếu nhận, người ấy sẽ trở nên như chim diều hâu hay cả quạ. Cũng vậy, chớ nhận tặng vật từ thợ dệt, thợ gốm, người buôn thóc lúa, người đang giữ nghi thức ba ngày, hay cả kẻ chỉ hẹn “ngày mai” mới cho.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Do not appropriate what is designated for yajña; practice discernment in accepting gifts, avoiding sources considered ritually/ethically compromising.
Vedantic Theme: Aparigraha-like restraint: non-grasping preserves sattva; tainted acquisition binds and coarsens consciousness.
Application: Maintain clean boundaries around earmarked funds/resources; adopt ethical acceptance policies and avoid conflicts of interest.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 (dāna/anna-śuddhi and prohibitions on acceptance)
FAQs
This verse warns that accepting offerings meant for yajña (or from questionable sources) can taint one’s merit and degrade one’s spiritual condition, emphasizing purity and right conduct in charity.
By linking unethical acceptance to a degraded state (symbolized by becoming like a kite or crow), it reinforces that actions (karma) shape post-death outcomes—central to the Preta Khanda’s moral framework.
Keep charity and receiving transparent: avoid benefits tied to someone else’s sacred duty, and prefer clean, ethically sourced support—especially around rites, vows, and religious ceremonies.