Shloka 39
अहिंसयित्वा ब्रह्महत्याविधानम् / Brahmahatyā incurred without physical violence
गामश्चृ वित्तमन्नं वा तद्विधे प्रतिपादयेत् । द्रव्याणि चान्यानि तथा प्रेत्यभावे न शोचति
gām aśvaṁ vittam annaṁ vā tadvidhe pratipādayet | dravyāṇi cānyāni tathā pretyabhāve na śocati ||
Bhīṣma dit : Qu’on offre des vaches, un cheval, des richesses, de la nourriture et d’autres biens semblables à un récipiendaire digne. En donnant ainsi, le donateur ne tombe pas dans le regret après la mort ; l’aumône justement orientée devient un rempart contre le remords posthume et atteste la conduite selon le dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity should be directed to a worthy recipient (pātra). Giving valuable items—cows, horses, wealth, food, and other goods—when properly placed becomes a dharmic act that prevents remorse after death.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising on the ethics of giving: he specifies exemplary gifts and emphasizes that the donor’s peace in the hereafter depends on giving appropriately to the deserving.