Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 11
Tapas-śreṣṭhatā: Anāśana as the Highest Austerity
Bhagīratha–Brahmā Saṃvāda
दशायुतानि चाश्वानां गोड5युतानि च विंशतिम् । पुष्करेषु द्विजातिभ्य: प्रादां शतसहस्रश:
daśāyutāni cāśvānāṁ goḍayutāni ca viṁśatim | puṣkareṣu dvijātibhyaḥ prādāṁ śatasahasraśaḥ ||
भागीरथ बोले—पुष्कर में मैंने द्विजों को अपार दान दिए—अश्वों के दस अयुत और गो-धन के बीस गोड़युत; और फिर-फिर शत-सहस्रों की संख्या में दान करता रहा।
भगीरथ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dāna as a pillar of dharma: a righteous ruler supports the learned and the religious order through generous gifts, especially at sacred tīrthas, thereby cultivating social welfare and spiritual merit.
Bhagīratha recounts his acts of large-scale gifting at the holy place Puṣkara, describing the immense quantities of horses and cows he donated to the twice-born, emphasizing the magnitude and intentionality of his charitable rites.