Shloka 3
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
स शत्रूणामुपरि च संतिष्ठति युधिष्ठिर । यान॑ चाश्वतरीयुक्त तस्य शुभ्र॑ं विशाम्पते
sa śatrūṇām upari ca saṃtiṣṭhati yudhiṣṭhira | yānaṃ cāśvatarī-yuktaṃ tasya śubhraṃ viśāṃpate ||
Bhishma said: “O Yudhishthira, such a man rises above his enemies and stands over them in mastery. O lord of the people, in a later birth he attains a radiant vehicle—a splendid chariot yoked with mules.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma links charitable giving (in this chapter’s context, gifts offered with focused intent) to tangible karmic fruits: social and moral ascendancy—symbolized by standing above enemies—and auspicious prosperity in future lives, symbolized by a radiant chariot.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues advising King Yudhishthira about the fruits of specific acts of giving. Here he states that the giver gains superiority over adversaries and, in a subsequent birth, receives a splendid mule-yoked conveyance.