Shloka 36
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
उदुम्बराण्यथान्यानि हेमगर्भाण्युपाहरन् । भृत्यास्तेषां ततस्तानि प्रग्राहितुमुपाद्रवन्,मन्त्रियोंने गूलर तथा दूसरे-दूसरे वृक्षोंक फल तोड़कर उनमें सुवर्ण-मुद्राएँ भर दीं। फिर उन फलोंको लेकर राजाके सेवक उन्हें ऋषियोंके हवाले करनेके लिये उनके पीछे दौड़े गये
udumbarāṇy athānyāni hemagarbhāṇy upāharan | bhṛtyās teṣāṃ tatas tāni pragrāhītum upādravan |
Bhīṣma said: “Then they brought udumbara fruits and other kinds as well, each filled within with gold. Thereupon the king’s attendants ran after them, intent on placing those fruits into the hands of the sages.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse supports the Anuśāsana-parvan’s broader teaching on dāna: gifts should be offered properly to worthy recipients with right intention; mere outward opulence (even disguising gold inside fruit) does not by itself define righteousness—ethical giving depends on motive, appropriateness, and respectful delivery.
Servants prepare udumbara and other fruits by filling them with gold and then rush after the sages to hand these ‘fruit-gifts’ over, indicating a royal attempt to ensure the sages accept a materially valuable offering.