Shloka 48
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
ऋषय ऊचु: कुशलं सह दानेन तस्मै यस्य प्रजा इमा: । फलान्युपधियुक्तानि य एवं न: प्रयच्छति
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ: kuśalaṃ saha dānena tasmai yasya prajā imāḥ | phalāny upadhiyuktāni ya evaṃ naḥ prayacchati ||
Os sábios disseram: “Que o bem-estar acompanhe esse rei juntamente com a sua dádiva—ele cujos súditos trouxeram estes frutos manchados de engano e que, sob o pretexto de oferecer fruta, assim nos concede ouro. Que permaneça seguro e próspero, unido ao seu ato de dar.”
पशुसख उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between outward acts and inner intent: even when a gift is routed through a deceptive pretext (fruits used as a cover), the act is still framed as dāna, and the sages respond with a blessing for the giver’s welfare—inviting reflection on how charity, motive, and social propriety interact in dharma discourse.
A king (through his subjects) presents fruits that are ‘upadhi-yukta’—serving as a pretext—while actually giving valuable wealth (gold) to the sages. The sages recognize the stratagem and pronounce a benediction: may the king remain well and prosperous together with his gift.