Shloka 58
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
भिक्षेत भिक्षांप्रथमं याचैनं न विमानयेत् । सजातीयगृहेष्वेव सार्ववर्णिकमेव वा
bhikṣeta bhikṣāṃprathamaṃ yācainaṃ na vimānayet | sajātīyagṛheṣveva sārvavarṇikameva vā
Man soll zuerst um Almosen bitten; und wenn jemand ihn darum ersucht, soll er den Bittenden weder beleidigen noch geringschätzen. Almosen sollen nur in den Häusern der eigenen Gemeinschaft erbeten werden — oder in Haushalten, die allen Varṇas offenstehen.
Unspecified (narrative injunction within Svarga-khaṇḍa; likely part of Pulastya’s instruction to Bhīṣma)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भिक्षांप्रथमं = भिक्षाम् + प्रथमम्; याचैनं = याच + एनम्; सजातीयगृहेष्वेव = सजातीयगृहेषु + एव.
FAQs
It instructs that when a person requests (alms), one should not demean, insult, or dismiss the petitioner; respectful conduct is part of dharma.
“Sajātīya-gṛhas” indicates households of one’s own community/group, while “sārvavarṇika” refers to households considered open/appropriate for all varṇas—i.e., not restricted to a single social class.
It emphasizes disciplined livelihood (bhikṣā as a regulated practice) and compassion in social dealings, teaching that dignity and non-contempt are essential virtues in religious life.