Shloka 2
पितामह उवाच भक्षार्थ विक्रयार्थ वा ये5पहारं हि कुर्वते । दानार्थ ब्राह्मणार्थाय तत्रेदं श्रूयतां फलम्,ब्रह्माजीने कहा--इनन््द्र! जो खाने, बेचने या ब्राह्मणोंको दान करनेके लिये दूसरेकी गाय चुराते हैं, उन्हें क्या फल मिलता है, यह सुनो
pitāmaha uvāca
bhakṣārtha-vikrayārtha vā ye 'pahāraṃ hi kurvate |
dānārthaṃ brāhmaṇārthāya tatredam śrūyatāṃ phalam ||
Pitāmaha said: Those who commit theft—whether for food, for sale, or even for the purpose of giving (the stolen goods) in charity to Brahmins—listen now to the consequence that is declared in this matter.
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even if one’s motive appears practical (food, commerce) or even pious (donation to Brahmins), theft remains adharma; the verse introduces that such acts still yield a specific negative karmic consequence.
Bhīṣma (Pitāmaha), in his instruction on dharma, begins a discussion on the results of stealing—especially the case of stealing (notably cattle in context) for eating, selling, or donating—inviting the listener to hear the stated ‘fruit’ of such conduct.