Shloka 5
Bhāgīrathī-tīra-śauca, Kurukṣetra-gamana, and Śatayūpa-āśrama-dīkṣā (गङ्गातीरशौच–कुरुक्षेत्रगमन–शतयूपाश्रमदीक्षा)
ब्राह्मणानग्रहारैर्वा यथावदनुपश्यसि । कच्चित् ते परितुष्यन्ति शीलेन भरतर्षभ,भरतश्रेष्ठ! कया तुम ब्राह्मणोंको माफी जमीन देकर उनपर यथोचित दृष्टि रखते हो? क्या तुम्हारे शील-स्वभावसे वे संतुष्ट रहते हैं?
brāhmaṇān agrahāraiḥ vā yathāvad anupaśyasi | kaccit te parituṣyanti śīlena bharatarṣabha ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Do you duly look after the brāhmaṇas—whether by granting them tax-free lands (agrahāras) or by other proper means? O bull among the Bharatas, are they satisfied with you because of your conduct and character?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes sustaining learned and religious communities through rightful support (such as agrahāras) and, more importantly, through personal integrity (śīla). Material patronage should be joined with ethical conduct so that society’s moral and ritual foundations remain steady.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions the addressed Bharata prince/king about whether he is properly caring for the brāhmaṇas—by land grants or other suitable means—and whether they are content with his character and governance.