Shloka 30

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

Devanagari script

तत्तद्गुणवते देयं तदेवाक्षयमिच्छता / अयेन विषुवे चैव ग्रहणे चन्द्रसूर्ययोः

Transliteration

tattadguṇavate deyaṃ tadevākṣayamicchatā / ayena viṣuve caiva grahaṇe candrasūryayoḥ

Translation

欲求不减不尽之功德者，当将布施施与具足相应德行之人；尤宜于至日、分日（春分秋分）以及月食、日食之时行之。

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (that)

• तत्: that (same)
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (that)

• गुणवते: to the virtuous/qualified person
• गुणवते: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुणवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/सम्प्रदान), एकवचन; ‘गुणवान्’ = worthy/virtuous person

• देयम्: (it) should be given
• देयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दा (धातु) + यत् (कृत् प्रत्यय) → देय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण; ‘to be given/should be given’ (gerundive)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha/Modifier (सम्बन्ध/विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle of emphasis)

• अक्षयम्: imperishable, inexhaustible
• अक्षयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• इच्छता: by (one) desiring
• इच्छता: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इष्/इच्छ् (धातु) + शतृ (कृत्) → इच्छत् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त; ‘by one who desires’

• अयने: at the solstice
• अयने: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘at the solstice’

• विषुवे: at the equinox
• विषुवे: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विषुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘at the equinox’

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

• एव: also/indeed
• एव: Sambandha/Modifier (सम्बन्ध/विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• ग्रहणे: at the eclipse
• ग्रहणे: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रहण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘at the eclipse’

• चन्द्रसूर्ययोः: of the moon and the sun
• चन्द्रसूर्ययोः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), द्विवचन; ‘of the moon and the sun’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Akṣaya-phala arises when dāna is given to a guṇavat (worthy, virtuous recipient) and at auspicious/liminal times.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala-niyama (moral causality) under īśvara-adhīna ṛta; purification of antaḥkaraṇa through sattvika dāna.

Application: Choose recipients of integrity; schedule charity on viṣuva/ayana and during eclipses; give with intention of dharma rather than display.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dāna-dharma sections): akṣaya-dāna tied to tīrtha and kāla-viśeṣa; Garuda Purana (Pretakalpa ancillary): merit as support for post-mortem journey (general motif)

Characters & Entities

• Chandra (Moon)
• Surya (Sun)

FAQs

What is the importance of giving charity at ayana, vishu, and grahana in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that charity offered at solstices, equinox, and eclipses—when given properly—yields akṣaya (undiminishing) merit.

How does this verse guide the ethical path of a person seeking lasting merit?

It emphasizes two essentials: right recipient (a guṇavat—worthy and virtuous) and right timing (cosmically significant periods), aligning one’s actions with dharma for enduring spiritual benefit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Donate mindfully to genuinely ethical and competent recipients or causes, and use spiritually significant days (e.g., eclipses/seasonal transitions) as reminders to practice disciplined generosity.