Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 8
The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body
कुले द्योतति शुद्धात्मा प्रकाशत्वं स गच्छति / ज्योतिर्मयो ऽसौ पूज्यो ऽसौ दीपदानप्रदो नरः
kule dyotati śuddhātmā prakāśatvaṃ sa gacchati / jyotirmayo 'sau pūjyo 'sau dīpadānaprado naraḥ
清净之人于家族中熠熠生辉，得至光明之境。凡施灯之人，身心充满光耀，堪受敬礼与供奉。
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: The gift of light yields inner and outer radiance—purity, honor, and an elevated state likened to becoming ‘jyotirmaya’.
Vedantic Theme: Sattva-vṛddhi: luminous actions cultivate sattva, leading to clarity, esteem, and spiritual brightness (tejas).
Application: Practice dīpa-dāna with purity of intent; pair it with truthful living and cleanliness to embody the ‘shuddhātmā’ ideal.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: dāna-phala catalogues where specific gifts yield specific fruits (dīpa → tejas)
FAQs
This verse states that giving a lamp leads to inner and spiritual radiance (prakāśatva), making the donor “jyotirmaya” (full of light) and worthy of honor—indicating strong puṇya connected with removing darkness and supporting auspicious passage.
In the Preta Kanda context, acts of dāna are presented as merit that supports the post-death journey; here, lamp-giving is linked with “light” and purification, implying protection from darkness, fear, and confusion in the subtle transition.
Perform dīpa-dāna with a sincere, pure intention—especially during śrāddha, pitṛ-kārya, or temple charity—cultivating purity (śuddhātmā) and supporting dharmic giving that benefits both family upliftment and personal spiritual clarity.