Shloka 7
द्रोणपर्व अध्याय ६७ — अर्जुनस्य प्रवेशः, श्रुतायुध-वधः, सुदक्षिण-वधः
Arjuna’s advance; deaths of Śrutāyudha and Sudakṣiṇa
द्विजपाणिवियोगेन दुःखं मे शाश्व॒तं महत् । भविष्यति न संदेह एवं राजाददद् वसु,ब्राह्मणोंके हाथका वियोग होनेपर मुझे सदा महान् दु:ख होगा, इसमें संदेह नहीं है। यह विचारकर राजा रन्तिदेव बहुत धन दान करते थे
dvijapāṇiviyogena duḥkhaṃ me śāśvataṃ mahat | bhaviṣyati na saṃdehaḥ evaṃ rājā dadad vasu ||
Nārada said: “If I am separated from the hands of the twice-born (the Brāhmaṇas who receive gifts), a great and lasting sorrow will be mine—of this there is no doubt.” Reflecting thus, King Rantideva continually gave away wealth in charity, holding that the welfare of the Brāhmaṇas and the duty of giving are integral to righteous kingship.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores rājadharma expressed through dāna: a king should regard the support of the twice-born and the practice of giving as a continuing obligation. The ‘sorrow of separation from the Brāhmaṇas’ hands’ conveys that withholding generosity and breaking the giver–receiver dharmic bond leads to lasting moral and spiritual loss.
Nārada states that being cut off from the Brāhmaṇas’ receiving hands would bring him enduring grief. On this principle, the narrative recalls King Rantideva as an exemplar who, considering such a consequence, repeatedly donated great wealth.