Shloka 6
Brahmapūjā-kāraṇa-prśnaḥ and Keśava–Viṣvaksena-stuti
Question on Brahmin veneration; hymn on Kṛṣṇa as cosmic order
भारत! धर्म, अर्थ, भय, कामना और दया--इन पाँच हेतुओंसे दानको पाँच प्रकारका जानना चाहिये। अब जिन कारणोंसे दान देना उचित है, उनको सुनो ।।
bhārata! dharma-artha-bhaya-kāmanā-dayā—ebhiḥ pañcabhir hetubhiḥ dānaṃ pañcadhā jñātavyam. adhunā yeṣu kāraṇeṣu dānaṃ pradātum ucitaṃ, tān śṛṇu. iha kīrtim avāpnoti pretya cānuttamaṃ sukham; iti dānaṃ pradātavyaṃ brāhmaṇebhyo ’n-asūyatā.
Bhīṣma dijo: «Oh Bhārata, por cinco motivos—dharma, provecho o riqueza, miedo, deseo y compasión—la caridad debe conocerse como de cinco clases. Ahora escucha las razones por las que dar es verdaderamente apropiado. Quien da alcanza fama en este mundo y, tras la muerte, la dicha suprema. Por ello, sin envidia ni resentimiento, debe darse a los brahmanes.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that charity should be evaluated by its motive: it can arise from dharma, gain, fear, desire, or compassion. The ethically proper form is giving grounded in dharma—done without envy or grudging—bringing honor in this life and the highest welfare after death.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on righteous conduct. Here he classifies types of giving by motive and urges dharma-based giving, specifically recommending gifts to Brahmins with a mind free of ill-will.