Shloka 1
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठका $ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ६५६ “लोक हैं) सप्तषष्टितमो< ध्याय: अन्न और जलके दानकी महिमा युधिछिर उवाच श्रुतं दानफलं तात यत् त्वया परिकीर्तितम् | अन्नदानं विशेषेण प्रशस्तमिह भारत,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--तात! भरतनन्दन! आपने जो दानोंका फल बताया है, उसे मैंने सुन लिया। यहाँ अन्नदानकी विशेषरूपसे प्रशंसा की गयी है
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | śrutaṁ dāna-phalaṁ tāta yat tvayā parikīrtitam | anna-dānaṁ viśeṣeṇa praśastam iha bhārata ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Dear one, I have heard the fruits of charity as you have described them. Yet here, O Bhārata, the gift of food is praised as especially excellent.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Among various forms of charity and their merits, the text highlights anna-dāna (giving food) as particularly praiseworthy, implying its direct role in sustaining life and supporting dharma.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the elder speaker respectfully, saying he has heard the general account of the fruits of giving, and now draws attention to the special praise given to the donation of food, setting up further instruction on its greatness.