Shloka 23
मांसपरिवर्जन-प्रशंसा (Praise of Abstention from Meat) / Ethics of Ahiṃsā in Diet and Rite
अन्नमूर्जस्करं लोके दत्त्वोर्जस्वी भवेन्नर: । सतां पन्थानमावृत्य सर्वपापै: प्रमुच्यते
annam ūrjaskaraṃ loke dattvā ūrjasvī bhavennaraḥ | satāṃ panthānam āvṛtya sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “In this world, food is what generates and increases strength. Therefore, by giving food in charity a person becomes vigorous; and by taking refuge in the path of the virtuous, one is released from all sins.”
युधिछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Food-giving (anna-dāna) is praised as a powerful ethical act that increases one’s vitality and merit; coupled with following the conduct of the virtuous, it leads to freedom from sin.
Within the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused discourse on dharma and gifts, Yudhiṣṭhira articulates the value of donating food and aligning oneself with the righteous path.