Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 29, Shloka 36
Adhyaya 29 — Alarka’s Inquiry and Madalasa’s Teaching on Householder Dharma (Gārhasthya), Vaiśvadeva, and Atithi Hospitality
अग्रं चतुर्गुणं प्राहुर्हन्तकारं द्विजोत्तमाः ।
भोजनं हन्तकारं वा अग्रं भिक्षामथापि वा ॥
agraṃ caturguṇaṃ prāhur hantakāraṃ dvijottamāḥ / bhojanaṃ hantakāraṃ vā agraṃ bhikṣām athāpi vā
द्विजश्रेष्ठ कहते हैं कि ‘प्रथम भाग’ चार प्रकार का है और वही ‘हन्तकार’ है। अथवा वे भोजन को ही ‘हन्तकार’ कहते हैं, और उसी नाम से प्रथम भाग या भिक्षा को भी कहते हैं।
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FAQs
Dharma is not only intention but also disciplined practice; the verse preserves technical conventions so that giving and offering are done with clarity and consistency.
Ancillary dharma-ritual detail; outside pancalakṣaṇa proper.
Naming and measuring the ‘first share’ sacralizes the threshold between possession and generosity—turning the act of eating into a controlled rite rather than impulse.