Shloka 23
The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property
पूर्वं त्वमशुभं भुङ्क्ष उताहो नृपते शुभम् । नान्तं दानस्य धर्मस्य पश्ये लोकस्य भास्वत: ॥ २३ ॥
pūrvaṁ tvam aśubhaṁ bhuṅkṣa utāho nṛpate śubham nāntaṁ dānasya dharmasya paśye lokasya bhāsvataḥ
[ヤマラージャは言った。] 親愛なる王よ、まず罪の報いを受けたいのか、それとも功徳の果報を先に味わいたいのか。汝が行った布施とダルマの尽きるところを私は見ない。ゆえに光り輝く天界での享楽もまた尽きない。
FAQs
This verse highlights that the dharma (religious merit) produced by charity can be so vast that its limit is difficult to perceive—implying profound, long-reaching auspicious results.
In the Syamantaka-jewel narrative, Kṛṣṇa points the listener toward karmic causality—how one’s past actions yield present fortune or suffering—and emphasizes charity as a powerful source of merit.
Practice regular, sincere giving—supporting devotees, temples, spiritual education, and those in need—while keeping the intention pure, seeing charity as dharma that refines the heart.