Shloka 2
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
दानानामुत्तमं यच्च देयं यच्च यथा यथा । मान्यान् पूज्यांश्व गाड़ेय रहस्यं वक्तुमहसि
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | dānānām uttamaṃ yac ca deyaṃ yac ca yathā yathā | mānyān pūjyāṃś ca gāṅgeya rahasyaṃ vaktum arhasi gaṅgānandana ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Gāṅgeya, son of the Gaṅgā, please tell me the secret teaching—what is the highest among gifts, what should be given, and in what proper manner; and also who are truly worthy of honor and worship.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dāna as a dharmic discipline requiring discernment: one must know the highest form of giving, what is appropriate to give, the proper method of giving, and who truly deserves honor and reverence. Charity is presented not as mere generosity but as ethically guided action.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira questions Bhīṣma—lying on the bed of arrows and teaching dharma—requesting confidential guidance on the principles of charity and the identification of worthy recipients and venerable persons.