Indratīrtha–Ādityatīrtha: Balarāma’s Ritual Bathing, Dāna, and Sacred-Historical Recollections
तामभ्येत्याब्रवीद् देवो भिक्षामिच्छाम्यहं शुभे । 'फिर वे महायशस्वी महादेवजी ब्राह्मणका रूप धारण करके उनके पास गये और बोले --'शुभे! मैं भिक्षा चाहता हूँ"
tām abhyetya abravīd devo bhikṣām icchāmy ahaṃ śubhe |
तामभ्येत्याब्रवीद् देवो भिक्षामिच्छाम्यहं शुभे ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
True dharma is shown through generosity and humility: even a divine being may appear as a needy brāhmaṇa to test whether one gives alms without pride, fear, or hesitation.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Mahādeva, taking the form of a brāhmaṇa, approaches a woman and asks her for alms, setting up a moral test centered on charity and righteous conduct.