Shloka 14
Nārada’s Exempla of Tapas and Assurance to Dhṛtarāṣṭra (नारदोपदेशः—तपःसिद्ध्युदाहरणम्)
भाजनानि च लौहानि पात्रीश्न विविधा नृप । यद् यदिच्छति यावच्च यच्चान्यदपि भाजनम्,राजन! उस समय राजा युधिष्छिरने तपस्वियोंके लिये लाये हुए सोने और ताँबेके कलश, मृगचर्म, कम्बल, खुक्, खुवा, कमण्डलु, बटलोई, कड़ाही, अन्यान्य लोहेके बने हुए पात्र तथा और भी भाँति-भाँतिके बर्तन बाँटे। जो जितना और जो-जो बर्तन चाहता था, उसको उतना ही और वही बर्तन दिया जाता था। दूसरा भी आवश्यक पात्र दे दिया जाता था
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
bhājanāni ca lauhāni pātrīś ca vividhā nṛpa |
yad yad icchati yāvac ca yac cānyad api bhājanam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O king, he distributed iron vessels and many kinds of utensils. Whatever vessel each ascetic desired—and in whatever quantity—exactly that was given; and any other necessary utensil as well was provided.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dāna as dharma: giving is not merely symbolic but responsive to real need—each recipient is given exactly what is desired and additionally what is necessary, reflecting thoughtful, non-performative generosity.
In the Āśramavāsika setting, the king is arranging support for ascetics by distributing practical household and ritual utensils—especially iron vessels—so that their daily discipline and austerities can be sustained without hardship.