Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 34
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
गवां रुक्मविषाणीनां रूप्याङ्घ्रीणां सुवाससाम् । पय:शीलवयोरूपवत्सोपस्करसम्पदाम् ॥ ३३ ॥ प्राहिणोत् साधुविप्रेभ्यो गृहेषु न्यर्बुदानि षट् । भोजयित्वा द्विजानग्रे स्वाद्वन्नं गुणवत्तमम् ॥ ३४ ॥ लब्धकामैरनुज्ञात: पारणायोपचक्रमे । तस्य तर्ह्यतिथि: साक्षाद् दुर्वास भगवानभूत् ॥ ३५ ॥
gavāṁ rukma-viṣāṇīnāṁ rūpyāṅghrīṇāṁ suvāsasām payaḥśīla-vayo-rūpa- vatsopaskara-sampadām
Ensuite, le Mahārāja Ambarīṣa combla tous les hôtes venus en sa demeure, surtout les brāhmaṇas saints. Il fit don de soixante crores de vaches aux cornes plaquées d’or et aux sabots plaqués d’argent; toutes étaient parées de beaux vêtements, les pis pleins de lait, douces de nature, jeunes et ravissantes, accompagnées de leurs veaux. Après ce don, le roi fit d’abord servir aux brāhmaṇas des mets exquis; lorsqu’ils furent pleinement satisfaits et lui donnèrent leur assentiment, il s’apprêtait à accomplir le pāraṇa pour clore le jeûne d’Ekādaśī, quand, à cet instant même, le puissant sage Durvāsā apparut comme un hôte non invité.
FAQs
This verse describes ideal dāna: well-cared-for, valuable cows—adorned and complete with calves and accessories—given as a sacred gift in a dharmic sacrifice.
In the narrative he is completing a religious observance and yajña; his charity expresses devotion, gratitude, and support of qualified brāhmaṇas as part of Vedic dharma.
Give thoughtfully: offer meaningful, high-quality support to worthy causes and spiritually grounded teachers, with a devotional intention rather than show.