Shloka 18
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
युधिषछ्िर उवाच ब्राह्मणेभ्य: प्रयच्छन्ति दानानि विविधानि च । दातृप्रतिग्रहीत्रोवं को विशेष: पितामह
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: brāhmaṇebhyaḥ prayacchanti dānāni vividhāni ca | dātṛ-pratigrahītroḥ kaḥ viśeṣaḥ pitāmaha ||
قال يودهيشثيرا: «يا جدّي، إن الناس يقدّمون للبراهمة أنواعاً شتّى من العطايا. فما الذي يميّز المُعطي من الآخذ—وما الفرق الجوهري بين المتصدّق والمتقبّل؟»
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry central to dharma: giving (dāna) and accepting (pratigraha) are not morally identical acts. Yudhiṣṭhira asks what qualities, responsibilities, and standards distinguish a righteous donor from a worthy recipient—especially in the context of gifts offered to Brahmins.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira continues questioning Bhīṣma on dharma. Here he asks Bhīṣma (addressed as Pitāmaha) to explain the difference between those who give various gifts to Brahmins and those Brahmins who accept them—setting up a discussion on proper charity and proper acceptance.