Shloka 30
Adhyāya 64: Dāna-prakāra—Suvarṇa, Pānīya-dāna, Ghṛta-dāna, and Upakaraṇa-dāna
Utility Gifts
यस्य सम विषये राज्ञ: स्नातक: सीदति क्षुधा । अवृद्धिमेति तद्राष्ट्र विच्दते सहराजकम्
yasya sama-viṣaye rājñaḥ snātakaḥ sīdati kṣudhā | avṛddhim eti tad-rāṣṭraṃ vicchidyate sa-rājakam ||
Bhishma berkata: “Di negeri raja yang memerintah dengan adil dan tidak memihak, bila seorang brahmana snātaka merana karena lapar, kemakmuran kerajaan itu terhenti; bahkan negara itu—beserta rajanya—runtuh dan jatuh ke tangan raja-raja musuh.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s legitimacy and prosperity depend on upholding dharma through care of the deserving—especially learned, disciplined Brahmins (snātakas). If such a person suffers hunger within the king’s domain, it signals systemic unrighteousness; the result is stagnation, fragmentation, and eventual loss of the kingdom to enemies.
Bhishma is instructing on rajadharma (the duties of kings) in the Anushasana Parva. He warns that neglecting the welfare of a snātaka Brahmin—allowing him to be afflicted by hunger—brings political and material consequences: the state’s growth stops and the realm collapses along with its ruler.