Shloka 35
Tapas-śreṣṭhatā: Anāśana as the Highest Austerity
Bhagīratha–Brahmā Saṃvāda
पयस्विनीनामथ रोहिणीनां तथैवान्याननडुहो लोकनाथ । प्रादां नित्य॑ ब्राह्मुणे भ्य: सुरेश नेहागतस्तेन फलेन चाहम्
payasvinīnām atha rohiṇīnām tathaivānyān anaḍuho lokanātha | prādāṁ nityaṁ brāhmaṇebhyaḥ sureśa nehāgataḥ tena phalena cāham |
バギーラタは言った。「おお世の主よ、神々の王よ。私は日々、婆羅門たちに乳を出す牝牛、赤みを帯びた牝牛（ローヒニー）、そしてほかの牡牛をも施してきた。だが、その施しの果だけによって、ここでこの境地に至ったのではない。」
भगीरथ उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even substantial daily charity (such as gifting cows and bulls to Brāhmaṇas) does not automatically explain one’s spiritual attainment; merit is nuanced, and higher results may depend on intention, purity, and other dharmic factors beyond the mere act of giving.
Bhagīratha addresses Indra, recounting his regular gifts of cattle to Brāhmaṇas, and clarifies that his present state has not been reached solely through the fruit of those donations—setting up a discussion on what truly produces higher merit.