Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 35
Tapas-śreṣṭhatā: Anāśana as the Highest Austerity
Bhagīratha–Brahmā Saṃvāda
पयस्विनीनामथ रोहिणीनां तथैवान्याननडुहो लोकनाथ । प्रादां नित्य॑ ब्राह्मुणे भ्य: सुरेश नेहागतस्तेन फलेन चाहम्
payasvinīnām atha rohiṇīnām tathaivānyān anaḍuho lokanātha | prādāṁ nityaṁ brāhmaṇebhyaḥ sureśa nehāgataḥ tena phalena cāham |
Bhagīratha said: “O Lord of the world, O king of the gods, I used to give—every day—to Brāhmaṇas milch-cows, reddish (rohiṇī) cows, and also other bulls. Yet I have not attained this state here by the fruit of that gift alone.”
भगीरथ उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even substantial daily charity (such as gifting cows and bulls to Brāhmaṇas) does not automatically explain one’s spiritual attainment; merit is nuanced, and higher results may depend on intention, purity, and other dharmic factors beyond the mere act of giving.
Bhagīratha addresses Indra, recounting his regular gifts of cattle to Brāhmaṇas, and clarifies that his present state has not been reached solely through the fruit of those donations—setting up a discussion on what truly produces higher merit.