Shloka 5
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
युधिछिर उवाच यत् फलं तिलदाने च भूमिदाने च कीर्तितम् | गोदाने चान्नदाने च भूयस्तद् ब्रूहि कौरव,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--कुरुनन्दन! तिल, भूमि, गौ और अन्नका दान करनेसे क्या फल मिलता है? इसका फिरसे वर्णन कीजिये
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: yat phalaṃ tiladāne ca bhūmidāne ca kīrtitam | godāne cānna-dāne ca bhūyas tad brūhi Kaurava ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dijo: «Oh Kaurava, vuelve a decirme con mayor detalle qué recompensa se declara para el don de sésamo, el don de tierras, el don de vacas y el don de alimento».
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dāna (charitable giving) as a central dharmic practice and seeks clarity on the specific spiritual/ethical merit (phala) attributed to different forms of gifts—sesame, land, cows, and food—implying that intention and appropriate giving are key concerns of righteous conduct.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Yudhiṣṭhira questions the teacher addressed as ‘Kaurava,’ requesting a renewed and more detailed explanation of the rewards traditionally proclaimed for several important donations.