Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 58
Āloka-dāna (Dīpa-dāna), Sumanas–Dhūpa–Dīpa Phala: Manu–Suvarṇa and Śukra–Bali Exempla
गृह्नन्ति देवता नित्यमाशंसन्ति सदा गृहान् । बाह्याश्षागन्तवो येडन्ये यक्षराक्षसपन्नगा:
gṛhṇanti devatā nityam āśaṃsanti sadā gṛhān | bāhyāś cāgantavo ye 'nye yakṣa-rākṣasa-pannagāḥ ||
Wika ni Śukra: “Patuloy na tinatanggap ng mga diyos ang mga handog na ibinibigay ng mga maybahay at lagi nilang binabasbasan ang kanilang tahanan. Gayundin, ang iba pang nilalang at mga panauhing dumarating mula sa labas—mga yakṣa, rākṣasa, at mga ahas—ay umaasa rin sa pagkain ng maybahay. Nalulugod sila sa gayong pagtangkilik at pagkamapagpatuloy, at bilang ganti’y pinagkakalooban ang maybahay ng mahabang buhay, dangal, at kasaganaan.”
शुक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
A householder’s duty of offering and hospitality sustains both divine and unseen beings as well as guests; such generosity returns as blessings—especially longevity, fame, and prosperity—showing dharma as reciprocal support between society, cosmos, and the home.
Śukra is instructing about the ethical power of the gṛhastha life: gods accept household offerings and bless the home, while other beings and outside guests also live by the householder’s food and, when pleased, confer benefits upon that householder.