Shloka 38
Abhimanyu’s Śrāddha; Vyāsa’s Assurance of the Unborn Heir (अभिमन्योः श्राद्धं तथा गर्भरक्षणोपदेशः)
समनुज्ञाप्य धर्मज्ञं राजानं भीममेव च । यमौ यमोपमौ चैव ददौ दानान्यनेकश:
samanujñāpya dharmajñaṁ rājānaṁ bhīmameva ca | yamau yamopamau caiva dadau dānāny anekaśaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having obtained the assent of the dharma-knowing king (Yudhiṣṭhira) and of Bhīma, and likewise directing the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva—both comparable to Yama in prowess—Kuntī caused many kinds of gifts to be bestowed, with Abhimanyu in mind.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dāna (charitable giving) should be performed in a dharmic manner—authorized by rightful elders/leaders, aligned with duty, and directed toward honoring worthy causes (here, remembrance of Abhimanyu). The verse highlights that ethical generosity is communal, sanctioned, and purposeful rather than impulsive.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Kuntī, after securing the approval of King Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma and instructing Nakula and Sahadeva, arranged for many kinds of gifts to be distributed, motivated by Abhimanyu’s memory.