Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 7
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
दिव्यं शतशलाकं च यज्ञार्थ काउचनं शुभम् | छत्र॑ देवावृधो दत्त्वा ब्राह्मणायास्थितो दिवम्
divyaṁ śataśalākaṁ ca yajñārthaṁ kāñcanaṁ śubham | chatraṁ devāvṛdho dattvā brāhmaṇāyāsthito divam ||
भीष्म ने कहा—देवावृध नामक राजा ने यज्ञ के लिए सौ तीलियों वाला दिव्य, शुभ, स्वर्णमय छत्र एक ब्राह्मण को दान किया; और वह स्वर्गलोक को प्राप्त हुआ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That dāna—especially the gifting of auspicious, ritual-purpose objects to a worthy brāhmaṇa—produces great puṇya and is portrayed as leading to svarga; generosity aligned with yajña and proper recipients is affirmed as dharmic conduct.
Bhīṣma cites an exemplum: King Devāvṛdha donates a splendid golden parasol with a hundred ribs, meant for sacrificial use, to a brāhmaṇa; as a result, he is said to have attained heaven.