Shloka 36
जनक-राज्ञः मौण्ड्य-परिव्रज्या-विवादः
Janaka’s Renunciation Questioned; Discourse on Dāna and Detachment
अग्न्याधेयानि गुर्वर्थ क्रतूनपि सुदक्षिणान् । ददात्यहरह: पूर्व को नु धर्मरतस्तत:,'जो प्रतिदिन पहले गुरुके लिये अग्निहोत्रार्थ समिधा लाता है; फिर उत्तम दक्षिणाओंसे युक्त यज्ञ एवं दान करता रहता है, उससे बढ़कर धर्मपरायण कौन होगा?”
agnyādheyāni gurvarthaṃ kratūn api sudakṣiṇān | dadāty aharahaḥ pūrvaḥ ko nu dharmaratas tataḥ ||
अर्जुन उवाच—यो हि प्रतिदिनं पूर्वं गुरोः अग्निहोत्रार्थं समिधो वहति, ततः परं सुदक्षिणान् क्रतून् दानानि च निरन्तरं ददाति, तस्मात् परो धर्मरतः कः नु भवेत्?
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds dharma as expressed through disciplined daily duty: serving one’s teacher first (guru-sevā) and sustaining sacred obligations through properly supported sacrifice and generous giving. It presents ritual responsibility and charity, grounded in reverence for the guru, as a high model of righteousness.
Arjuna poses a rhetorical question praising a person who daily brings fuel for the guru’s fire-rite and then performs well-endowed sacrifices and gifts. The point is to highlight an exemplary dharmic lifestyle—prioritizing service and religious duty—within the broader Shanti Parva discussion on conduct and righteousness.