Shloka 14
तेषूपवासान् विबुधानुपोष्य दत्त्वा च रत्नानि महान्ति राजा । तीर्थेषु सर्वेषु परिप्लुताड़: पुन: स शूर्पारकमाजगाम,उन तीर्थोंके निकट निवास करनेवाले दिद्वान् ब्राह्मणोंको वस्त्राभूषणोंसे आच्छादित एवं विभूषित करके उन्हें बहुमूल्य रत्नोंकी भेंट दे वहाँके सभी तीर्थोमें सनान करके महाराज युधिष्ठिर पुनः शूर्परिक-क्षेत्रमें लौट आये
teṣūpavāsān vibudhān upoṣya dattvā ca ratnāni mahānti rājā | tīrtheṣu sarveṣu pariplutāḍyaḥ punaḥ sa śūrpārakam ājagāma ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having duly honored the learned Brahmins who lived near those sacred places—sustaining them during their fasts, clothing and adorning them, and presenting them with precious gems—the king bathed at all the tīrthas. Enriched by these rites and gifts, he then returned once more to the region of Śūrpāraka.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship: a ruler gains moral and spiritual prosperity by honoring learned Brahmins, supporting religious observances, giving generous gifts, and undertaking tīrtha-bathing with reverence—linking personal purification with social responsibility (dāna and service).
After visiting sacred sites, the king supports the local learned Brahmins—providing clothing/ornaments and valuable gems—bathes at all the tīrthas, and then returns to the region of Śūrpāraka, having completed the pilgrimage rites.