Shloka 23
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha
राजन्यबन्धवो ह्येते ब्रह्मलिङ्गानि बिभ्रति । ददानि भिक्षितं तेभ्य आत्मानमपि दुस्त्यजम् ॥ २३ ॥
rājanya-bandhavo hy ete brahma-liṅgāni bibhrati dadāni bhikṣitaṁ tebhya ātmānam api dustyajam
[జరాసంధుడు మనసులో అనుకున్నాడు:] వీరు నిశ్చయంగా రాజవంశీయులే, కానీ బ్రాహ్మణ చిహ్నాలను ధరించారు. అయినా వారు అడిగిన భిక్షను నేను ఇవ్వాలి—అది నా విడిచిపెట్టలేని దేహమే అయినా సరే.
Here Jarāsandha reveals his strong commitment to charity, especially when begged by brāhmaṇas.
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa declares that if someone approaches Him in the role of a beggar, He is prepared to give charity even up to offering His own self—showing the ideal of unwavering generosity and dharma.
Kṛṣṇa notes that they are connected to the warrior class yet have adopted brāhmaṇa external symbols, highlighting the contrast between outward appearance and actual identity as part of the episode where Kṛṣṇa assesses the visitors’ disguise and intention.
Practice truthful generosity: help sincere seekers and worthy causes without ego, while remembering that real charity includes giving time, protection, and service—not merely external show or labels.