Shloka 54
तीर्थवंशोपदेशः
Tīrtha-vaṃśa Upadeśa: Instruction on the Fruits of Sacred Waters
हृतस्वा ह्तदाराश्ष ये विप्रा देशसम्प्लवे । अर्थार्थमभिगच्छन्ति तेभ्यो दत्त महाफलम्
hṛtasvā hṛtadārāś ca ye viprā deśasamplave | arthārtham abhigacchanti tebhyo dattaṃ mahāphalam ||
Bhishma said: When a land is thrown into calamity and disorder, those Brahmins whose wealth has been taken away and whose wives have been seized may come seeking means of livelihood. A gift given to such distressed supplicants yields very great spiritual fruit.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity gains exceptional merit when directed to those in acute distress—especially during societal calamity—because it preserves life, dignity, and dharma when normal supports have collapsed.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma, he describes a time of regional upheaval (deśasamplava) and notes that Brahmins who have been robbed of wealth and family security may approach for support; giving to them is declared highly fruitful.