Shloka 19
Go-apahāra (Cattle Theft), Go-dāna (Cow-Gift), and Suvarṇa-dakṣiṇā (Gold Fee): Karmic Consequence and Purificatory Merit
रुक्ममश्चांश्व॒ ददतो रजतस्यन्दनांस्तथा । न जग्राह ययौ चापि तदा स ब्राह्मणर्षभ:,“मैंने उसे सोना, चाँदी, रथ और घोड़े--सब कुछ देना चाहा; परंतु वह उत्तम ब्राह्मण कुछ न लेकर तत्काल चुपचाप चला गया
rukmam aṁśvān dadato rajatasyaṁdanāṁs tathā | na jagrāha yayau cāpi tadā sa brāhmaṇarṣabhaḥ ||
रुक्ममश्चाश्वान् ददतो रजतस्यन्दनांस्तथा । न जग्राह ययौ चापि तदा स ब्राह्मणर्षभः ॥
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
True righteousness is not measured by what one can obtain, but by the ability to remain unattached and uncompromised. The exemplary brāhmaṇa declines valuable gifts, signaling inner freedom and ethical integrity.
The speaker recounts offering costly items—gold, silver, chariots, and horses—to a distinguished brāhmaṇa. The brāhmaṇa accepts nothing and immediately departs, highlighting his restraint and principled conduct.