Shloka 31

Preta-Mokṣa Upāya: Svapna-Lakṣaṇa, Pitṛ-Doṣa, and Prescribed Rites

Kṛṣṇa-bali & Nārāyaṇa-bali

Devanagari script

तत्सर्वमात्मना भुङ्क्ते दानं वेदविदो विदुः

Transliteration

tatsarvamātmanā bhuṅkte dānaṃ vedavido viduḥ

Translation

Chính tự ngã (ātman) một mình thọ hưởng tất cả điều ấy; các bậc thông hiểu Veda tuyên dạy rằng chính ‘bố thí’ (dāna) là điều người ta tự mình thọ hưởng (sau khi chết).

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; ‘that’ (contextual)

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; ‘तत्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• आत्मना: by oneself
• आत्मना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• भुङ्क्ते: enjoys, partakes
• भुङ्क्ते: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; धातु: भुज्

• दानम्: gift, charity
• दानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म) / Apposition
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; वाक्ये ‘तत्सर्वम्’ इत्यस्य व्याख्येय-रूपेण

• वेदविदः: knowers of the Veda
• वेदविदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + विद् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक: विद् → विद्/विद्वस्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वेदस्य विदः = वेदविदः)

• विदुः: know, have declared
• विदुः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; धातु: विद्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The self alone experiences the totality of karmic outcomes; what is truly ‘enjoyed’ as one’s own is dāna (merit of giving), affirmed by Veda-knowers.

Vedantic Theme: Jīva as bhoktā of karma-phala across death; external possessions do not follow, but puṇya from dāna accompanies—supporting vairāgya and ethical action.

Application: Prioritize generosity and charitable acts as durable ‘wealth’; cultivate detachment from hoarding by remembering post-mortem continuity of karmic results.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana teachings on what follows the soul after death (dharma/adharma, dāna); Garuda Purana discussions of dāna as śrāddha-support and as paraloka-sādhana

Characters & Entities

• Atman
• Veda

FAQs

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

This verse states that the soul personally experiences the fruits of one’s giving; therefore dāna is a direct, post-death support through its merit.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It emphasizes personal karmic fruition: whatever merit is accumulated—especially through dāna—is ‘enjoyed’ by the jīva itself in the post-mortem journey and states beyond.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice regular, sincere giving aligned with dharma, understanding that its benefit is not merely social—it becomes one’s own enduring spiritual asset.