Shloka 5
Chapter 84: Brahmā’s Counsel on Tāraka, the Search for Agni, and the Genesis of Skanda
Kārttikeya
मान्धाता यौवनाश्रवश्व ययातिर्नहुषस्तथा । गा वै ददनत: सततं सहस्रशतसम्मिता:
Māndhātā Yauvanāśvaś ca Yayātir Nahuṣas tathā | gā vai dadantaḥ satataṁ sahasraśata-sammitāḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「マーンダータ、ヤウヴァナーシュヴァ、ヤヤーティ、そして同じくナフシャ——古き伝承に名高いこれらの王たちは、つねに牛を施し、その布施は幾十万にも及んだ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds dāna—especially the gifting of cows—as a hallmark of righteous kingship. By citing celebrated rulers, Bhīṣma frames generosity as a sustained ethical practice (not an occasional act) that supports dharma and accrues merit.
Bhīṣma is instructing on dharma by invoking well-known ancient kings as precedents. He lists Māndhātā, Yauvanāśva, Yayāti, and Nahuṣa as continual donors of immense numbers of cows, reinforcing the tradition of royal largesse.