Shloka 122
Dharma-vyādha’s Analysis of Moral Decline and the Mahābhūta–Guṇa Schema (धर्मव्याधोपदेशः)
जीवनाय समाक्तलिन्नं वसु दत्त्वा महीयते । वैश्यं तु वासयेद् यस्तु सर्वयज्ञै: स इष्टवान्
jīvanāya samāktalinnaṃ vasu dattvā mahīyate | vaiśyaṃ tu vāsayed yas tu sarvayajñaiḥ sa iṣṭavān ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “One who gives wealth to sustain another’s life is honored. And whoever provides a dwelling and support to a Vaiśya—such a person is regarded as having performed all sacrifices.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sustaining others through generous giving and hospitality is presented as supremely meritorious—so meritorious that it is likened to the fruit of performing all sacrificial rites.
Mārkaṇḍeya is instructing on dharma by praising life-sustaining charity and the act of providing residence/support, framing such ethical conduct as equal in value to extensive ritual sacrifice.