Shloka 83
Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
वास्तवमें उस श्रेष्ठ द्विजके रूपमें मानव-विग्रहधारी साक्षात् धर्म ही वहाँ उपस्थित थे। वे प्रवचनकुशल धर्म संतुष्टचित्त होकर उन उज्छवृत्तिधारी श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणसे इस प्रकार बोले -- ८२ ॥। शुद्धेन तव दानेन न्यायोपात्तेन धर्मत: । यथाशक्ति विसूष्टेन प्रीतो5स्मि द्विजसत्तम । अहो दान घुष्यते ते स्वर्गे स्वर्गनिवासिभि:,द्विजश्रेष्ठी तुमने अपनी शक्तिके अनुसार धर्मपूर्वक जो न्यायोपार्जित शुद्ध अन्नका दान दिया है, इससे तुम्हारे ऊपर मैं बहुत प्रसन्न हूँ। अहो! स्वर्गलोकमें निवास करनेवाले देवता भी वहाँ तुम्हारे दानकी घोषणा करते हैं
śvaśura uvāca |
śuddhena tava dānena nyāyopāttena dharmataḥ |
yathāśakti visṛṣṭena prīto 'smi dvijasattama |
aho dānaṃ ghuṣyate te svarge svarganivāsibhiḥ ||
Dharma himself, present there in human form under the guise of that eminent twice-born, said: “O best of Brahmins, I am pleased with you. For the gift you have given is pure—rightfully acquired, offered in accordance with dharma, and bestowed to the extent of your ability. Indeed, in heaven the very dwellers of heaven proclaim your charity.”
श्षशुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity bears fruit when it is (1) pure in substance and intent, (2) earned by lawful means (nyāyopātta), (3) given in accordance with dharma, and (4) proportionate to one’s capacity (yathāśakti). Such giving is praised as ethically complete, not merely materially large.
A revered figure speaking as the father-in-law praises a Brahmin for offering pure food/charity acquired righteously and given within his means, declaring personal satisfaction and stating that even the inhabitants of heaven proclaim the merit of that gift.