Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 293
Śrāddha-Kalpa: Pitṛ-Pūjā and Tithi-Phala (श्राद्धकल्पः पितृपूजा च तिथिफलम्)
जामदग्न्यं प्रति विभो धन्यमायुष्यमेव च । राजन्! अब (सुवर्णकी उत्पत्ति और उसके माहात्म्यके विषयमें) एक प्राचीन इतिहास सुनो जो जमदग्निनन्दन परशुरामजीसे सम्बन्ध रखनेवाला है। विभो! यह आख्यान धन तथा आयुकी वृद्धि करनेवाला है
jāmadagnyaṃ prati vibho dhanyam āyuṣyam eva ca | rājan, adya suvarṇakī-utpattiṃ ca tasya māhātmyaviṣayaṃ ca ekaṃ prācīnam itihāsaṃ śṛṇu, yaḥ jamadagninandana-paraśurāmeṇa sambandhaṃ rakṣati | vibho, etad ākhyānaṃ dhana-āyuṣoḥ vṛddhi-karaṃ bhavati |
「大いなる王よ、今より、ジャマダグニの子パラシュラーマに関わる古き物語を聞け。黄金の起源とその偉大なる功徳についてである。主よ、この説話は富を増し、寿命を延ばすと伝えられている。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames the forthcoming legend as ethically efficacious: hearing and reflecting on sacred, exemplary narratives is presented as a dharmic act that supports rightful prosperity (dhana) and well-being/longevity (āyuṣ). Wealth is thus introduced not merely as material gain but as something to be understood through its origin, sanctity, and proper valuation within dharma.
Bhishma addresses the king and announces a transition into an ancient account connected with Parashurama (Jamadagni’s son). The announced topic is the origin of gold and its celebrated greatness, setting up a didactic story meant to instruct and to confer auspicious results upon the listener.