Shloka 12
The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property
यावत्य: सिकता भूमेर्यावत्यो दिवि तारका: । यावत्यो वर्षधाराश्च तावतीरददं स्म गा: ॥ १२ ॥
yāvatyaḥ sikatā bhūmer yāvatyo divi tārakāḥ yāvatyo varṣa-dhārāś ca tāvatīr adadaṁ sma gāḥ
I gave in charity as many cows as there are grains of sand upon the earth, stars in the heavens, and drops in a rain shower.
The idea here is that the King gave innumerable cows in charity.
FAQs
This verse presents go-dāna as an exalted act of dharma—King Nṛga describes giving an immeasurable number of cows—yet the surrounding narrative shows that even great charity must be done carefully and without causing harm or dispute.
In the episode where Kṛṣṇa encounters Nṛga (cursed into a lizard’s body), Nṛga recounts his extraordinary piety and vast charitable acts to explain his former life and the puzzling fact that he still suffered a curse due to a mistake connected with a donated cow.
Practice generosity, but ensure integrity in giving—be attentive to rightful ownership, avoid unintended harm, and pair charity with humility and devotion so that righteous acts do not become entangled in conflict.