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 ||
पितरों के लिए श्राद्ध-तर्पण करना, दया रखना, प्याऊ/जल-व्यवस्था कराना, यात्रियों के लिए शयन-विश्राम की व्यवस्था करना, और यथाकाल द्विजों (ब्राह्मणों) को दान देते रहना—ये सब कर्तव्य सदा निभाने चाहिये।
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.