Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 15
Gārhasthya-dharma: Vāsudeva–Pṛthivī-saṃvāda
Householder Duties and Daily Offerings
एवं कृत्वा बलिं सम्यग दद्याद् भिक्षां द्विजाय वै | अलाभे ब्राह्मणस्याग्नावग्रमुद्धृत्य निक्षिपेत्
evaṁ kṛtvā baliṁ samyag dadyād bhikṣāṁ dvijāya vai | alābhe brāhmaṇasyāgnāv agram uddhṛtya nikṣipet ||
Pagkatapos maihanda at maialay nang wasto ang bali, magbigay ng limos sa isang “dalawang-ulit na isinilang” (Brahmin). Kung walang Brahmin na tatanggap, kunin ang pangunahing bahagi at ilagak sa banal na apoy—upang ang gawa ng pagbibigay ay hindi maputol, kundi matupad sa isang kapalit na ayon sa dharma.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity and ritual duty should be completed in a proper, dharmic way: give the allotted alms to a worthy Brahmin; if such a recipient is unavailable, do not neglect the obligation—offer the foremost portion into the sacred fire as a sanctioned substitute.
Vāyudeva is instructing on correct household/ritual conduct: after making the bali offering, one should distribute alms to a dvija. When a Brahmin cannot be found, the first portion is instead consigned to Agni, preserving the intent and purity of the rite.