Shloka 12
अन्नदान-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Gift of Food) | Annadāna-Praśaṃsā
क्रियानियमितान् साधुन् पुत्रदारैश्व॒ कर्शितान् अयाचमानान् कौन्तेय सर्वोपायैर्निमन्त्रयेत्
kriyā-niyamitān sādhūn putra-dāraiś ca karśitān | ayācamānān kaunteya sarvopāyair nimantrayet ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Ó filho de Kuntī, deve-se, por todos os meios, convidar e amparar aqueles virtuosos, disciplinados na conduta reta, consumidos pelo fardo de sustentar esposa e filhos, e que, ainda assim, não pedem a ninguém. Tais chefes de família, comedidos, merecem ajuda sem que se espere que peçam.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity should be proactive and discerning: one should seek out and support virtuous, self-respecting people who suffer silently while fulfilling family duties, rather than waiting for them to beg.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma, he advises how to practice giving: identify disciplined, righteous householders strained by family responsibilities who do not ask for help, and assist them through all appropriate means.