Shloka 14
The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property
स्वलङ्कृतेभ्यो गुणशीलवद्भ्य: सीदत्कुटुम्बेभ्य ऋतव्रतेभ्य: । तप:श्रुतब्रह्मवदान्यसद्भ्य: प्रादां युवभ्यो द्विजपुङ्गवेभ्य: ॥ १४ ॥ गोभूहिरण्यायतनाश्वहस्तिन: कन्या: सदासीस्तिलरूप्यशय्या: । वासांसि रत्नानि परिच्छदान् रथा- निष्टं च यज्ञैश्चरितं च पूर्तम् ॥ १५ ॥
sv-alaṅkṛtebhyo guṇa-śīlavadbhyaḥ sīdat-kuṭumbebhya ṛta-vratebhyaḥ tapaḥ-śruta-brahma-vadānya-sadbhyaḥ prādāṁ yuvabhyo dvija-puṅgavebhyaḥ
Primero honré a los brāhmaṇas receptores de mi caridad adornándolos con finas joyas. Aquellos dwijas excelsos eran jóvenes, de familias necesitadas, de noble carácter y virtudes; firmes en la verdad, célebres por su austeridad, muy versados en los Vedas y santos en su conducta. Les di vacas, tierras, oro y casas, además de caballos, elefantes y doncellas casaderas con sirvientas; también sésamo, plata, lechos excelentes, ropas, gemas, enseres y carros. Asimismo realicé sacrificios védicos y diversas obras piadosas de beneficio público.
FAQs
This verse praises charity given to foremost brāhmaṇas who are truthful, austere, learned, spiritually realized, and generous—showing that dāna is most potent when directed to qualified recipients.
Because dharmic giving is not merely about quantity; it is about honoring spiritual integrity—truthfulness, tapas, śruti, and brahma-jñāna—so that charity supports genuine sādhus and sacred culture.
Give thoughtfully: support people and institutions that demonstrably live by integrity, self-discipline, learning, and service—rather than giving blindly for prestige.