Shloka 35
मृत्यु-काल-प्रबोधनम् (Instruction on Mortality, Time, and Truth) — Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 169
कुट॒म्बार्थ च दास्याश्व साहाय्यं चाप्पयथाकरोत् । तत्रावसत् स वर्षीश्ष समृद्धे शबरालये,वह दासीके कुटुम्बके लिये कुछ सहायता भी करने लगा। ब्राह्मणने भीलके उस समृद्धिशाली भवनमें अनेक वर्षोतक निवास किया
kuṭumbārthaṃ ca dāsyāśva-sahāyyaṃ cāpy athākarot | tatrāvasat sa varṣīṣa samṛddhe śabarālaye ||
And for the sake of that household he also began to render assistance as needed—helping with the servant and the horse. There he lived for many years, in the prosperous dwelling of the Śabara, the forest-dweller.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should repay shelter and support with helpful service and considerate conduct. Dharma in daily life includes gratitude, cooperation, and sustaining the well-being of the host’s household rather than living as a burden.
Bhishma describes a man (understood as a Brahmin in the received context) who, while residing in a Śabara’s prosperous home, assists the household—helping with domestic arrangements such as the servant and the horse—and remains there for many years.