Shloka 10
Adhyaya 8 — Harishchandra’s Trial: Truth, the Sale of Family, and Bondage to a Chandala
हरिश्चन्द्र उवाच ब्राह्मन्नद्यैव सम्पूर्णो मासोऽम्लानतपोधन । तिष्ठत्येतद् दानार्धं यत्तत् प्रतीक्षस्व माचिरम् ॥
hariścandra uvāca brāhmann adyaiva sampūrṇo māso 'mlāna-tapo-dhana | tiṣṭhaty etad dānārdhaṃ yat tat pratīkṣasva mā ciram ||
హరిశ్చంద్రుడు అన్నాడు—ఓ బ్రాహ్మణా, ఈ రోజే నెల పూర్తిగా ముగిసింది, ఓ అక్షయ తపోధనుడా. దానార్థమే ఇది మిగిలి ఉంది; కాబట్టి దానికోసం వేచిచూడండి—ఎక్కువ కాలం కాదు।
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FAQs
The verse emphasizes dhārmic precision and integrity in giving: once the prescribed period (a month) is completed, the giver indicates readiness to fulfill the intended dāna, while also requesting a brief, reasonable delay. It models respectful speech to an ascetic (“tapodhana”) and frames charity as an obligation to be completed at the proper time.
This verse is best classified under vaṃśānucarita/ākhyāna (dynastic/biographical narrative and exemplary conduct) rather than sarga/pratisarga/manvantara/vaṃśa proper. It contributes to the Purāṇic function of teaching dharma through exemplary royal stories.
Symbolically, “the month completed” can indicate ripening of saṃskāra and readiness for tyāga (relinquishment). The address “amlāna-tapodhana” elevates tapas as true wealth, subtly contrasting material wealth (to be given away) with spiritual wealth (austerity), suggesting that dāna is most potent when aligned with discipline, timing, and sincerity.