Shloka 36
जनक-राज्ञः मौण्ड्य-परिव्रज्या-विवादः
Janaka’s Renunciation Questioned; Discourse on Dāna and Detachment
अग्न्याधेयानि गुर्वर्थ क्रतूनपि सुदक्षिणान् । ददात्यहरह: पूर्व को नु धर्मरतस्तत:
agnyādheyāni gurvarthaṃ kratūn api sudakṣiṇān | dadāty aharahaḥ pūrvaḥ ko nu dharmaratas tataḥ ||
अर्जुन म्हणाला—जो दररोज प्रथम गुरूंच्या अग्निहोत्रासाठी समिधा आणतो आणि नंतर उत्तम दक्षिणांनी युक्त यज्ञ करीत व दान देत राहतो, त्याहून अधिक धर्मनिष्ठ कोण असेल?
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds dharma as expressed through disciplined daily duty: serving one’s teacher first (guru-sevā) and sustaining sacred obligations through properly supported sacrifice and generous giving. It presents ritual responsibility and charity, grounded in reverence for the guru, as a high model of righteousness.
Arjuna poses a rhetorical question praising a person who daily brings fuel for the guru’s fire-rite and then performs well-endowed sacrifices and gifts. The point is to highlight an exemplary dharmic lifestyle—prioritizing service and religious duty—within the broader Shanti Parva discussion on conduct and righteousness.