Shloka 28
अन्नदान-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Gift of Food) | Annadāna-Praśaṃsā
को ह्ाक्षयप्रसादानां सुहृदामल्पतोषिणाम् । वृत्तिम् त्यवक्षेप्तुं त्ववन्य: कुरुसत्तम
ko hy akṣayaprasādānāṁ suhṛdām alpatōṣiṇām | vṛttiṁ ty avakṣeptuṁ tvadanyaḥ kurusattama ||
Bhishma dit : «Qui donc, sinon toi, ô le meilleur des Kurus, pourrait assurer la subsistance et le soutien de tels brāhmanes — dont la faveur est inépuisable, qui sont par nature les bienveillants de tous, et qui se contentent de si peu ?»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes sustaining worthy Brahmins and the virtuous—especially those who are benevolent and easily content—because supporting such people strengthens ethical order and yields enduring spiritual merit.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs a Kuru ruler on dharma. Here he praises Brahmins of exemplary character and tells the king that it is chiefly the king’s responsibility to ensure their livelihood and protection.