Shloka 4
Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
घुष्यमाणे महादाने दिक्षु सर्वासु भारत । पतत्सु पुष्पवर्षेषु धर्मराजस्य मूर्थनि
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
ghuṣyamāṇe mahādāne dikṣu sarvāsu bhārata |
patatsu puṣpavarṣeṣu dharmarājasya mūrdhani ||
वैशम्पायन बोले—भारत! जब धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर के महान् दान की कीर्ति चारों दिशाओं में गूँज उठी और उनके मस्तक पर पुष्प-वृष्टि होने लगी, उसी समय वहाँ एक नेवला आया। अनघ! उसकी आँखें नीली थीं और उसके शरीर का एक पार्श्व स्वर्ण-सा दमकता था। पृथ्वीनाथ! आते ही उसने वज्र के समान भयंकर गर्जना की।
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Public acclaim and ritual signs (like a rain of flowers) may celebrate generosity, but the narrative context points toward a deeper ethical inquiry: the true greatness of dāna is measured by intention, sacrifice, and the relief of suffering—not merely by scale or reputation.
During Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha-related festivities, his immense charity is being loudly praised in every direction, and flowers are said to rain upon his head as a mark of honor; this moment introduces the ensuing episode that challenges conventional ideas of “great giving.”