Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 34
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
गवां रुक्मविषाणीनां रूप्याङ्घ्रीणां सुवाससाम् । पय:शीलवयोरूपवत्सोपस्करसम्पदाम् ॥ ३३ ॥ प्राहिणोत् साधुविप्रेभ्यो गृहेषु न्यर्बुदानि षट् । भोजयित्वा द्विजानग्रे स्वाद्वन्नं गुणवत्तमम् ॥ ३४ ॥ लब्धकामैरनुज्ञात: पारणायोपचक्रमे । तस्य तर्ह्यतिथि: साक्षाद् दुर्वास भगवानभूत् ॥ ३५ ॥
gavāṁ rukma-viṣāṇīnāṁ rūpyāṅghrīṇāṁ suvāsasām payaḥśīla-vayo-rūpa- vatsopaskara-sampadām
Sesudah itu Mahārāja Ambarīṣa memuaskan semua tamu yang datang ke rumahnya, terutama para brāhmaṇa yang suci. Ia bersedekah enam puluh krore sapi yang bertanduk berlapis emas dan berkuku berlapis perak; semuanya berhias kain yang indah, ambingnya penuh susu, berwatak lembut, muda dan elok, serta disertai anak-anaknya. Setelah memberi sedekah itu, sang raja terlebih dahulu menjamu para brāhmaṇa dengan hidangan terbaik; setelah mereka puas dan memberi izin, ia hendak melakukan pāraṇa—mengakhiri puasa Ekādaśī—namun tepat saat itu Durvāsā Muni, pertapa agung yang perkasa, muncul sebagai tamu tanpa undangan.
FAQs
This verse describes ideal dāna: well-cared-for, valuable cows—adorned and complete with calves and accessories—given as a sacred gift in a dharmic sacrifice.
In the narrative he is completing a religious observance and yajña; his charity expresses devotion, gratitude, and support of qualified brāhmaṇas as part of Vedic dharma.
Give thoughtfully: offer meaningful, high-quality support to worthy causes and spiritually grounded teachers, with a devotional intention rather than show.