Shloka 11
Sāma (Sāntva) and Dāna: The Brāhmaṇa’s Conciliatory Release from a Rākṣasa
ब्राह्मणश्रैन्न विन्देत श्रुतवृत्तोपसंहित: । प्रतिग्रहीता दानस्य मोघं स्थात् धनिनां धनम्
brāhmaṇaḥ śraiḥ na vindeta śrutavṛttopasaṃhitaḥ | pratigrahītā dānasya moghaṃ syāt dhanināṃ dhanam ||
Maitreya dit : Si un brāhmane, pourvu de science et de bonne conduite—et donc le plus légitime récipiendaire des dons—ne reçoit pas de soutien, alors la richesse des opulents devient vaine, car leur offrande n’atteint pas le vase convenable ni sa juste fin.
मैत्रेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity bears fruit only when directed to a worthy recipient—one grounded in sacred learning and ethical conduct. If such a qualified Brahmin is not supported, the donor’s wealth and the act of giving lose their intended dharmic purpose.
Maitreya is instructing on the ethics of dāna: he highlights the importance of identifying and sustaining the proper recipients of gifts, implying that social and religious order depends on supporting those who embody knowledge and good conduct.