Shloka 3
Vasiṣṭha on Saṃsāra, Guṇas, and Misattributed Agency
Mahābhārata 12.292
अपना सगा भाई भी यदि अपने श्रेष्ठ स्वभावका और स्नेहका त्याग कर दे तो लोग उसको त्याग देते हैं; फिर दूसरे किसी साधारण मनुष्यकी तो बात ही क्या है ।।
viśiṣṭasya viśiṣṭāc ca tulyau dāna-pratigrahau | tayoḥ puṇyataraṃ dānaṃ tad dvijasya prayacchataḥ ||
يُعلِّم باراشارا أنه إذا كان المُعطي والآخذ كلاهما من أهل الفضل، فإن العطاء والقبول متكافئان في الميزان الأخلاقي. غير أن العطاء أعظم ثوابًا من القبول، ولا سيّما إذا وُجِّه إلى براهمنٍ مستحقّ.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
When both parties are worthy, giving and receiving are both legitimate, but giving is considered more meritorious—especially when directed to a deserving brāhmaṇa—highlighting generosity as a key expression of dharma.
In the Śānti Parva’s didactic setting, Parāśara is instructing on righteous conduct, specifically the ethics of gifting and receiving, and how merit is assessed based on worthiness and intention.