Shloka 39
Āśrama-dharma: Duties of the Four Life-Stages (आश्रमधर्मः)
शूद्र: पैजवनो नाम सहस्राणां शतं ददौ | ऐन्द्राग्नेन विधानेन दक्षिणामिति न: श्रुतम्,हमने सुना है कि पैजवन नामक शाद्रने ऐन्द्राग्न यज्ञकी विधिसे मन्त्रहीन यज्ञका अनुष्ठान करके उसकी दक्षिणाके रूपमें एक लाख पूर्णपात्र दान किये थे
śūdraḥ paijavano nāma sahasrāṇāṃ śataṃ dadau | aindrāgnena vidhānena dakṣiṇām iti naḥ śrutam ||
श्रुतं नः शूद्रः पैजवनो नाम ऐन्द्राग्नेन विधानेन यजित्वा दक्षिणार्थं सहस्राणां शतं पूर्णपात्राणि ददाविति।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that dharmic merit is strongly tied to dāna (generous giving) performed in accordance with proper ritual norms; exemplary virtue can be found irrespective of social category.
Bhīṣma cites a traditional report about a Śūdra named Paijavana who, following an Indra–Agni-related sacrificial procedure, gave an immense dakṣiṇā (sacrificial gift/fee), using the example to support a broader discussion of dharma and the power of generosity.