Shloka 19
Cāturāśramya-dharma—Marks of the Four Āśramas (चातुराश्रम्यधर्मः)
पितृयज्ञास्तथा कृपा: प्रपाश्ष शयनानि च । दानानि च यथाकाल द्विजेभ्यो विसृजेत् सदा
pitṛyajñās tathā kṛpāḥ prapāś śayanāni ca | dānāni ca yathākālaṃ dvijebhyo visṛjet sadā ||
インドラは言った。「社会を支え祖霊を敬う務めを、つねに保たねばならぬ。すなわち、ピトリ（祖霊）への供養を行い、慈悲を示し、公の水場を設け、旅人のために休息所と寝床を備え、しかるべき時に二度生まれ（バラモン）へ施しをなすこと。時宜にかなう布施と公共の善行は、久しく存するダルマである。」
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is expressed through sustained, timely beneficence: honoring ancestors (pitṛyajña/śrāddha), practicing compassion, creating public utilities like water-stations and lodging, and giving appropriate gifts—especially to dvijas—at the right time.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Indra speaks as a moral authority, enumerating concrete duties and charitable works that uphold social order and generate lasting merit.