Shloka 4
राजोवाच न चानुकीर्तयेदद्य दत्त्वा अयाच्यमर्थ न च संशूणोमि । प्राप्पमर्थ च संभश्रुत्य त॑ चापि दत्त्वा सुसुखी भवामि,राजाने कहा--दान लेनेके अधिकारी ब्राह्मणदेव! मैं कोई वस्तु देकर उसकी बार-बार चर्चा नहीं करता और यह प्रतिज्ञापूर्वक कहता हूँ कि मेरे पास कोई ऐसी वस्तु नहीं है, जो आपके माँगने योग्य न हो। जो वस्तु प्राप्त हो सकती है, उसे देनेकी प्रतिज्ञा कर लेनेपर मैं उसे देकर ही अधिक सुखी होता हूँ
rājovāca — na cānukīrtayed adya dattvā ayācyam arthaṁ na ca saṁśṛṇomi | prāpyaṁ arthaṁ ca saṁbhāṣrutya taṁ cāpi dattvā susukhī bhavāmi ||
The king said: “Having given a gift, I do not today keep repeating it in self-praise, nor do I speak with any grudging tone. And once I have pledged to give what can be obtained, I become truly happier only after I have actually given it.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
True giving is marked by humility and integrity: one should not boast after donating, nor give with reluctance. If one has pledged to give something attainable, fulfillment of that promise brings genuine inner joy.
In a dialogue involving a brahmin and a king, the king explains his personal code of generosity: he does not publicize his gifts, does not speak in a begrudging manner, and feels happiest when he completes a promised donation.