Shloka 1
ऑपनआक्राता बछ। 2 चतुष्पञ्चाशर्दाधिकशततमो< ध्याय: ब्राह्मणशिरोमणि उतथ्यके प्रभावका वर्णन वायुरुवाच इमां भूमिं द्विजातिभ्यो दित्सुर्वैं दक्षिणां पुरा । अड्ढी नाम नृपो राजंस्तततक्रिन्तां मही ययौ
Vāyur uvāca: imāṃ bhūmiṃ dvijātibhyo ditsur vai dakṣiṇāṃ purā | Aṅga-nāmā nṛpo rājan tat-kṛtvā cintāṃ mahī yayau ||
Vāyu sprach: „O König, einst wollte ein Herrscher namens Aṅga diese Erde selbst als dakṣiṇā (Opfergabe) den Zweimalgeborenen (den Brahmanen) schenken. Als die Erde von seiner Absicht erfuhr, sie als Gabe zu überlassen, ergriff sie tiefe Beklommenheit.“
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames royal generosity as a powerful dharmic act, but also hints at ethical limits: even well-intended gifts (dakṣiṇā) must respect the nature of what is given. Donating the Earth itself raises questions about rightful stewardship, the welfare of subjects, and the boundaries of ritual charity.
Vāyu begins a past episode: a king named Aṅga decides to give the Earth as a sacrificial gift to the twice-born. On hearing this plan, the personified Earth (Mahī/Bhūmi) becomes anxious, setting up the ensuing discussion about the consequences and propriety of such a donation.