Shloka 19
Cāturāśramya-dharma—Marks of the Four Āśramas (चातुराश्रम्यधर्मः)
पितृयज्ञास्तथा कृपा: प्रपाश्ष शयनानि च । दानानि च यथाकाल द्विजेभ्यो विसृजेत् सदा
pitṛyajñās tathā kṛpāḥ prapāś śayanāni ca | dānāni ca yathākālaṃ dvijebhyo visṛjet sadā ||
Indra dit : «Il faut sans cesse soutenir les devoirs qui maintiennent la société et honorent les ancêtres : accomplir les offrandes aux Pitṛs, faire preuve de compassion, établir des points d’eau publics, fournir des lieux de repos et des couchettes aux voyageurs, et donner, au moment opportun, des présents aux deux-fois-nés (brahmanes). Une telle charité en son temps et la bienfaisance publique sont des formes durables de dharma.»
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is expressed through sustained, timely beneficence: honoring ancestors (pitṛyajña/śrāddha), practicing compassion, creating public utilities like water-stations and lodging, and giving appropriate gifts—especially to dvijas—at the right time.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Indra speaks as a moral authority, enumerating concrete duties and charitable works that uphold social order and generate lasting merit.