Shloka 5
Nakṣatra-yoga-anusāreṇa Dāna-vidhiḥ
Gifts prescribed according to lunar mansions and yogas
ग्रियते याचमानो वै न जातु प्रियते ददत् । ददत् संजीवयत्येनमात्मानं च युधिष्ठिर,याचक मर जाता है, किंतु दाता कभी नहीं मरता। युधिष्ठिर! दाता इस याचकको और अपनेको भी जीवित रखता है
griyate yācamāno vai na jātu priyate dadat | dadat saṃjīvayaty enam ātmānaṃ ca yudhiṣṭhira ||
பீஷ்மர் கூறினார்—கேட்பவன் சோர்ந்து அழிகிறான்; ஆனால் கொடுப்பவன் ஒருபோதும் அழிவதில்லை. ஓ யுதிஷ்டிரா! தானம் செய்து கொடுப்பவன் இந்த வேண்டுபவனையும் வாழவைக்கிறான்; தன்னையும் நிலைநிறுத்துகிறான்.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that dāna (generosity) is life-sustaining: the act of giving supports the needy and also preserves the giver’s own well-being and lasting worth. Begging is depicted as depleting, while giving is portrayed as strengthening and enduring.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma, especially the duties of a ruler and householder. Here he emphasizes the ethical superiority and sustaining power of giving over the vulnerability and depletion associated with continual begging.