Shloka 2
हिरण्यकण्ठी: प्रमदा ग्रामान् वा बहुगोकुलान् । कि ददानीति तं विप्रमुवाचाधिरथिस्तत:,तब अधिरथकुमारने उन ब्राह्मणरूपधारी इन्द्रसे कहा--“विप्रवर! मैं आपको क्या दूँ? सोनेके कण्ठोंसे विभूषित युवती स्त्रियाँ अथवा बहुसंख्यक गोधनोंसे भरे हुए अनेक ग्राम?”
hiraṇyakaṇṭhīḥ pramadā grāmān vā bahugokulān | kiṃ dadānīti taṃ vipram uvāca adhirathis tataḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Adhirathi addressed that brahmin (Indra in disguise), asking, “What shall I give you—young women adorned with golden necklaces, or villages filled with many herds of cattle?” The scene highlights the royal habit of measuring generosity in terms of wealth and possessions, while foreshadowing the ethical tension of giving without recognizing the true identity and intent of the recipient.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dāna as a royal duty, but also raises an ethical question: generosity is not merely the magnitude of gifts (women, villages, cattle) but the discernment and righteousness with which giving is done—especially when the recipient’s identity and purpose are concealed.
Adhirathi, encountering a brahmin (Indra in disguise), offers lavish options as a gift—gold-adorned maidens or villages rich in cattle—showing his readiness to give materially and setting up the impending request that will test him more sharply.