Shloka 1
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
अपन का छा | अप---#क्र+ द्विनवतितमो< ध्याय: महर्षि अगस्त्यके यज्ञकी कथा जनमेजय उवाच धर्मागतेन त्यागेन भगवन् स्वर्गमस्ति चेत् । एतनमे सर्वमाचक्ष्व कुशलो हासि भाषितुम्,जनमेजयने कहा--भगवन्! धर्मके द्वारा प्राप्त हुए धनका दान करनेसे यदि स्वर्ग मिलता है तो यह सब विषय मुझे स्पष्टरूपसे बताइये; क्योंकि आप प्रवचन करनेमें कुशल हैं
Janamejaya uvāca | dharmāgatena tyāgena bhagavan svargam asti cet | etan me sarvam ācakṣva kuśalo ’si bhāṣitum ||
Janamejaya said: “O venerable one, if heaven is attained by the righteous act of giving away wealth that has been acquired through dharma, then explain this entire matter to me clearly—for you are skilled in teaching and discourse.”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical principle for discussion: that giving (tyāga/dāna) of wealth acquired righteously (dharmāgata) is a meritorious act believed to lead to svarga, and it invites a clear doctrinal explanation from an authoritative teacher.
King Janamejaya addresses a revered sage and requests a full, lucid account of how righteous acquisition and charitable giving relate to attaining heaven, setting up the ensuing discourse (in this chapter’s context, connected with a sacrificial narrative involving sages such as Agastya).