Shloka 23
Kośārtha-Rājadharma: Ethical Revenue Collection and Social Regulation (कोशार्थ-राजधर्मः)
आपशद्येव तु याचन्ते येषां नास्ति परिग्रह: । दातव्यं धर्मतस्तेभ्यस्त्वनुक्रोशाद् भयान्न तु
āpadyeva tu yācante yeṣāṃ nāsti parigrahaḥ | dātavyaṃ dharmatas tebhyaḥ tv anukrośād bhayān na tu ||
ଯାହାଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ କୌଣସି ସଞ୍ଚୟ ନାହିଁ, ସେମାନେ ଆପଦାକାଳରେ ମାତ୍ର ଯାଚନା କରନ୍ତି। ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଧର୍ମ ଭାବେ ଓ କରୁଣାବଶତଃ ଦେବା ଉଚିତ; ଭୟ କିମ୍ବା ଚାପରୁ ନୁହେଁ।
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity should be guided by dharma and compassion: help those who have no reserves and therefore ask only in crisis, but do not give out of fear, pressure, or intimidation.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Bhīṣma advises the listener on proper giving, distinguishing compassionate, duty-based charity from coerced or fear-driven payment.