Shloka 15
The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property
स्वलङ्कृतेभ्यो गुणशीलवद्भ्य: सीदत्कुटुम्बेभ्य ऋतव्रतेभ्य: । तप:श्रुतब्रह्मवदान्यसद्भ्य: प्रादां युवभ्यो द्विजपुङ्गवेभ्य: ॥ १४ ॥ गोभूहिरण्यायतनाश्वहस्तिन: कन्या: सदासीस्तिलरूप्यशय्या: । वासांसि रत्नानि परिच्छदान् रथा- निष्टं च यज्ञैश्चरितं च पूर्तम् ॥ १५ ॥
sv-alaṅkṛtebhyo guṇa-śīlavadbhyaḥ sīdat-kuṭumbebhya ṛta-vratebhyaḥ tapaḥ-śruta-brahma-vadānya-sadbhyaḥ prādāṁ yuvabhyo dvija-puṅgavebhyaḥ
Zuerst ehrte ich die Brāhmaṇas, die meine Gaben empfingen, indem ich sie mit kostbarem Schmuck ausstattete. Diese erhabenen Dvijas waren jung, ihre Familien in Not, doch reich an Charakter und Tugend; der Wahrheit verpflichtet, berühmt für Askese, tief gelehrt in den Veden und heilig im Wandel. Ich gab ihnen Kühe, Land, Gold und Häuser, dazu Pferde, Elefanten und heiratsfähige Mädchen mit Dienerinnen; ferner Sesam, Silber, gute Lager, Gewänder, Edelsteine, Hausrat und Wagen. Außerdem vollzog ich vedische Opfer und verrichtete vielfältige fromme Werke zum Wohl der Allgemeinheit.
FAQs
This verse praises giving to exemplary brāhmaṇas—truthful, disciplined, learned, saintly, and in genuine need—showing that dāna should be guided by character and dharma, not mere display.
Because the recipients of sacred charity are ideally those who uphold satya, vrata, tapaḥ, and śruta—qualities that preserve spiritual culture and ensure that gifts support dharma.
Give thoughtfully to people and institutions that demonstrate integrity, spiritual discipline, and genuine service—especially where there is real hardship—rather than giving only for reputation.