Shloka 35
मृत्यु-काल-प्रबोधनम् (Instruction on Mortality, Time, and Truth) — Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 169
कुट॒म्बार्थ च दास्याश्व साहाय्यं चाप्पयथाकरोत् । तत्रावसत् स वर्षीश्ष समृद्धे शबरालये,वह दासीके कुटुम्बके लिये कुछ सहायता भी करने लगा। ब्राह्मणने भीलके उस समृद्धिशाली भवनमें अनेक वर्षोतक निवास किया
kuṭumbārthaṃ ca dāsyāśva-sahāyyaṃ cāpy athākarot | tatrāvasat sa varṣīṣa samṛddhe śabarālaye ||
E, pelo bem daquela casa, ele também passou a prestar auxílio conforme fosse necessário—ajudando no que dizia respeito ao servo e ao cavalo. Ali viveu por muitos anos, na próspera morada do Śabara, o habitante da floresta.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should repay shelter and support with helpful service and considerate conduct. Dharma in daily life includes gratitude, cooperation, and sustaining the well-being of the host’s household rather than living as a burden.
Bhishma describes a man (understood as a Brahmin in the received context) who, while residing in a Śabara’s prosperous home, assists the household—helping with domestic arrangements such as the servant and the horse—and remains there for many years.