Shloka 15
Gārhasthya-dharma: Vāsudeva–Pṛthivī-saṃvāda
Householder Duties and Daily Offerings
एवं कृत्वा बलिं सम्यग दद्याद् भिक्षां द्विजाय वै | अलाभे ब्राह्मणस्याग्नावग्रमुद्धृत्य निक्षिपेत्
evaṁ kṛtvā baliṁ samyag dadyād bhikṣāṁ dvijāya vai | alābhe brāhmaṇasyāgnāv agram uddhṛtya nikṣipet ||
Après avoir ainsi préparé et offert correctement le bali (la part rituelle), on doit ensuite donner l’aumône à un « deux-fois-né » (un brahmane). S’il ne se trouve aucun brahmane pour la recevoir, qu’on prenne la part la plus noble et qu’on la dépose dans le feu sacré, afin que l’acte de donner ne soit pas abandonné, mais accompli par un substitut conforme au dharma.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity and ritual duty should be completed in a proper, dharmic way: give the allotted alms to a worthy Brahmin; if such a recipient is unavailable, do not neglect the obligation—offer the foremost portion into the sacred fire as a sanctioned substitute.
Vāyudeva is instructing on correct household/ritual conduct: after making the bali offering, one should distribute alms to a dvija. When a Brahmin cannot be found, the first portion is instead consigned to Agni, preserving the intent and purity of the rite.