Tapas-śreṣṭhatā: Anāśana as the Highest Austerity
Bhagīratha–Brahmā Saṃvāda
वाजिनां च सहसेरे द्वे सुवर्णशशतभूषिते
vājināṁ ca sahasrāṇi dve suvarṇaśata-bhūṣite
Bhagīratha berkata: “Dan dua ribu ekor kuda pula—masing-masing dihiasi seratus perhiasan emas.”
भगीरथ उवाच
The verse underscores dāna as a facet of dharma: prosperity and royal resources gain ethical meaning when used for generous, honorable gifting, reflecting sincerity, respect, and the pursuit of merit.
Bhagīratha is enumerating items of a grand donation—specifically, two thousand horses richly ornamented with gold—emphasizing the magnitude and splendor of the offering.