Shloka 17
Droṇānīka-praveśa: Arjuna’s respectful appeal to Droṇa and renewed advance toward Jayadratha (द्रोणानीकप्रवेशः)
गयस्य यजमानस्य मुक्तावज्मणिस्तृता । प्रादात् स ब्राह्मणेभ्यो5थ वासांस्याभरणानि च
gayasya yajamānasya muktāvajramaṇis tṛtā | prādāt sa brāhmaṇebhyo 'tha vāsāṁsy ābharaṇāni ca ||
Nārada said: “When Gaya was performing a sacrifice as the patron, he had a spread of pearls and precious gems laid out, and then he bestowed them upon the brāhmaṇas—along with garments and ornaments.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents dāna as an essential completion of yajña: a righteous patron does not hoard ritual wealth but redistributes it—especially to brāhmaṇas—through gifts of valuables, clothing, and ornaments, thereby aligning prosperity with dharma.
Nārada recounts an exemplary act by Gaya during a sacrifice: pearls and precious gems are laid out and then given away to brāhmaṇas, together with garments and ornaments, illustrating Gaya’s famed generosity.