Shloka 44
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
ता इमा बिप्रमुख्येभ्यो यो ददाति महीपते । निस्तरेदापदं कृच्छां विषमस्थो5पि पार्थिव,भूपाल! पृथ्वीनाथ! जो श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्यणोंको इन गौओंका दान करता है, वह संकटमें पड़ा हो तो भी उस भारी विपत्तिसे उद्धार पा लेता है
tā imā vipramukhye bhyo yo dadāti mahīpate | nistared āpadaṃ kṛcchrāṃ viṣamastho 'pi pārthiva ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai raja, sesiapa yang menghadiahkan lembu-lembu ini kepada Brahmana yang paling utama akan menyeberangi bahkan bencana yang amat berat. Walaupun seorang pemerintah berada dalam keadaan yang berbahaya, sedekah demikian menjadi jalan pembebasan daripada kesusahan yang besar.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that go-dāna—especially to worthy, eminent Brahmins—is a powerful dharmic act whose merit protects a ruler and helps him overcome even severe संकट (āpada), emphasizing charity as a practical support for ethical kingship.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs the king on duties and meritorious acts. Here he highlights the efficacy of donating the specified cows to excellent Brahmins, assuring that such a gift brings deliverance even when the king is trapped in grave danger.