Shloka 23
Āśrama-dharma and Brahmacarya: Śuka’s Inquiry on Karma and Tyāga (शुक-प्रश्नः कर्मत्यागविवेकश्च)
अम्बरीषो गवां दत्त्वा ब्राह्मुणे भ्य: प्रतापवान् | अर्बुदानि दशैकं च सराष्ट्रो3भ्यपतद् दिवम्,प्रतापी राजा अम्बरीषने ब्राह्मणोंको ग्यारह अर्बुद (एक अरब दस करोड़) गौएँ दानमें देकर देशवासियोंसहित स्वर्गलोक प्राप्त किया
Ambarīṣo gavāṁ dattvā brāhmaṇebhyaḥ pratāpavān | arbudāni daśaikaṁ ca sa-rāṣṭro 'bhyapatad divam ||
Vyāsa berkata: “Raja Ambarīṣa yang perkasa, setelah menghadiahkan lembu kepada para brāhmaṇa—sepuluh arbuda dan satu lagi (yakni sebelas arbuda semuanya)—telah mencapai syurga bersama seluruh kerajaannya.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that righteous generosity (dāna), especially by a ruler to worthy recipients like brāhmaṇas, generates great merit (puṇya) and leads to auspicious results—symbolized here by attaining heaven—benefiting not only the giver but also the wider realm under his care.
Vyāsa cites King Ambarīṣa as an exemplar: after donating an immense number of cows—eleven arbuda—to brāhmaṇas, he is said to have ascended to heaven along with his kingdom, underscoring the exemplary status of royal charity in dharma discourse.