Shloka 48
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
ऋषय ऊचु: कुशलं सह दानेन तस्मै यस्य प्रजा इमा: । फलान्युपधियुक्तानि य एवं न: प्रयच्छति
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ: kuśalaṃ saha dānena tasmai yasya prajā imāḥ | phalāny upadhiyuktāni ya evaṃ naḥ prayacchati ||
Les sages dirent : «Que le bien-être accompagne ce roi avec son don—lui dont les sujets ont apporté ces fruits entachés de ruse et qui, sous le prétexte d’offrir des fruits, nous donne ainsi de l’or. Qu’il demeure sauf et prospère, avec son acte de générosité.»
पशुसख उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between outward acts and inner intent: even when a gift is routed through a deceptive pretext (fruits used as a cover), the act is still framed as dāna, and the sages respond with a blessing for the giver’s welfare—inviting reflection on how charity, motive, and social propriety interact in dharma discourse.
A king (through his subjects) presents fruits that are ‘upadhi-yukta’—serving as a pretext—while actually giving valuable wealth (gold) to the sages. The sages recognize the stratagem and pronounce a benediction: may the king remain well and prosperous together with his gift.