Shloka 19
Cāturāśramya-dharma—Marks of the Four Āśramas (चातुराश्रम्यधर्मः)
पितृयज्ञास्तथा कृपा: प्रपाश्ष शयनानि च । दानानि च यथाकाल द्विजेभ्यो विसृजेत् सदा,पितरोंका श्राद्ध करना, कुआँ खुदवाना, जलक्षेत्र चलाना और लोगोंके ठहरनेके लिये धर्मशालाएँ बनवाना भी उनका कर्तव्य है। उन्हें यथासमय ब्राह्मणोंको दान देते रहना चाहिये
pitṛyajñās tathā kṛpāḥ prapāś śayanāni ca | dānāni ca yathākālaṃ dvijebhyo visṛjet sadā ||
Disse Indra: “Deve-se sustentar continuamente os deveres que amparam a sociedade e honram os ancestrais—realizando oferendas aos Pitṛs, exercendo compaixão, estabelecendo abastecimentos públicos de água, provendo locais de repouso e leitos para viajantes, e dando dádivas, no tempo devido, aos duas-vezes-nascidos (brâmanes). Tal caridade oportuna e beneficência pública são formas duradouras de dharma.”
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is expressed through sustained, timely beneficence: honoring ancestors (pitṛyajña/śrāddha), practicing compassion, creating public utilities like water-stations and lodging, and giving appropriate gifts—especially to dvijas—at the right time.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Indra speaks as a moral authority, enumerating concrete duties and charitable works that uphold social order and generate lasting merit.