Shloka 35
Dharma-vyādha’s Analysis of Moral Decline and the Mahābhūta–Guṇa Schema (धर्मव्याधोपदेशः)
तस्मात् त्वं सर्वदानानि हित्वान्नं सम्प्रयच्छ ह
tasmāt tvaṁ sarvadānāni hitvānnaṁ samprayaccha ha
Therefore, you should set aside all other kinds of gifts and, at all times, offer food—indeed, give nourishment. In Markandeya’s ethical counsel, the emphasis is that sustaining life through food-giving stands foremost among acts of charity and dharma.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Markandeya teaches that among charitable acts, giving food (annadāna) is paramount because it directly sustains life; one should prioritize nourishment over other gifts.
Markandeya is delivering moral instruction within the Vana Parva context, urging the listener to practice dharma through consistent food-giving, presented as a decisive recommendation (“therefore… indeed”).