Shloka 14
Śuka’s Nirveda: Vyāsa’s Admonition on Dharma, Impermanence, and ‘Imperishable Wealth’ (अक्षय-धन)
अनृशंस: शुचिर्दान्त: सत्यवागार्जवे स्थित: । योनिकर्मविशुद्धश्न पात्र स्याद् वेदविद् द्विज:
anṛśaṁsaḥ śucir dāntaḥ satyavāg ārjave sthitaḥ | yonikarmaviśuddhaś ca pātraṁ syād vedavid dvijaḥ ||
Seorang Brahmana yang mengetahui Weda menjadi penerima dana yang paling layak bila ia berwelas asih dan tidak kejam, suci dalam laku, menaklukkan indria, benar dalam ucapan, teguh dalam kelurusan; serta murni baik oleh kelahiran maupun oleh perbuatan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The core teaching is that the right recipient of charity (pātra) is defined by moral character and disciplined conduct—compassion, purity, self-restraint, truthfulness, and straightforwardness—together with recognized purity of lineage and deeds, and Vedic learning.
In the Śānti Parva’s dharma instruction, Bhīṣma is advising on norms of righteous giving (dāna), specifying the ethical qualifications that make a Veda-knowing Brahmin the most suitable recipient.