Shloka 14
Nārada’s Exempla of Tapas and Assurance to Dhṛtarāṣṭra (नारदोपदेशः—तपःसिद्ध्युदाहरणम्)
भाजनानि च लौहानि पात्रीश्न विविधा नृप । यद् यदिच्छति यावच्च यच्चान्यदपि भाजनम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
bhājanāni ca lauhāni pātrīś ca vividhā nṛpa |
yad yad icchati yāvac ca yac cānyad api bhājanam ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ô roi, il distribua des récipients de fer et des ustensiles de toutes sortes. Quel que fût le récipient désiré par chaque ascète—et en quelque quantité—c’était cela même qui lui était donné ; et tout autre ustensile nécessaire était également fourni.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dāna as dharma: giving is not merely symbolic but responsive to real need—each recipient is given exactly what is desired and additionally what is necessary, reflecting thoughtful, non-performative generosity.
In the Āśramavāsika setting, the king is arranging support for ascetics by distributing practical household and ritual utensils—especially iron vessels—so that their daily discipline and austerities can be sustained without hardship.