Shloka 14
Śuka’s Nirveda: Vyāsa’s Admonition on Dharma, Impermanence, and ‘Imperishable Wealth’ (अक्षय-धन)
अनृशंस: शुचिर्दान्त: सत्यवागार्जवे स्थित: । योनिकर्मविशुद्धश्न पात्र स्याद् वेदविद् द्विज:
anṛśaṁsaḥ śucir dāntaḥ satyavāg ārjave sthitaḥ | yonikarmaviśuddhaś ca pātraṁ syād vedavid dvijaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : Un brāhmaṇa connaissant le Veda devient le plus digne récipiendaire des dons lorsqu’il est compatissant et non cruel, pur dans sa conduite, maître de lui-même, véridique dans sa parole et fermement établi dans la droiture; et lorsqu’il est en outre pur tant par la naissance (lignée) que par les actes.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The core teaching is that the right recipient of charity (pātra) is defined by moral character and disciplined conduct—compassion, purity, self-restraint, truthfulness, and straightforwardness—together with recognized purity of lineage and deeds, and Vedic learning.
In the Śānti Parva’s dharma instruction, Bhīṣma is advising on norms of righteous giving (dāna), specifying the ethical qualifications that make a Veda-knowing Brahmin the most suitable recipient.