Shloka 36
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
ददाति यजते यज्जैः समृद्धैराप्तदक्षिणै: । अधीत्य स्वर्गमन्विच्छंस्त्रेताग्निशरण: सदा
dadāti yajate yajjaiḥ samṛddhair āptadakṣiṇaiḥ | adhītya svargam anvicchaṁs tretāgniśaraṇaḥ sadā ||
ददाति यजते यज्ञैः समृद्धैराप्तदक्षिणैः । अधीत्य स्वर्गमन्विच्छंस्त्रेताग्निशरणः सदा ॥
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines exemplary royal/kshatriya conduct through three pillars: generosity (dāna), Vedic sacrifice with proper dakṣiṇā (yajña done rightly), and disciplined Vedic life centered on the maintenance of the three sacred fires—actions pursued with an eye to dharma and the promised fruit of svarga.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instructional setting, Maheśvara is describing the traits that qualify someone as a superior kshatriya/king. The focus is not on battle but on the ruler’s ritual obligations, learning, and public-spirited virtue as standards of legitimacy and excellence.