Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 1
Dhūpa–Dīpa–Bali Phala Praśna; Nahūṣa–Agastya–Bhṛgu Saṃvāda
Incense, Lamp, and Bali Offerings; the Nahūṣa Dialogue
अत-४#-#कञ नवनवतितमो< ध्याय: नहुषका ऋषियोंपर अत्याचार तथा उसके प्रतीकारके लिये महर्षि भूगु और अगस्त्यकी बातचीत युधिछिर उवाच श्रुतं मे भरतश्रेष्ठ पुष्पधूपप्रदायिनाम् । फलं॑ बलिविधाने च तदू भूयो वक्तुमहसि
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca—
Śrutaṃ me Bharataśreṣṭha puṣpadhūpapradāyinām |
Phalaṃ balividhāne ca tad bhūyo vaktum arhasi ||
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “O pinakamainam sa mga Bharata, narinig ko na ang gantimpalang natatamo ng mga nag-aalay ng bulaklak at insenso. Ngayon, ipaliwanag mo muli kung anong bunga ang nakukuha sa wastong pag-aalay ng bali (bahaging handog na pagkain/tributong ritwal).”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-inquiry: ritual acts (offering flowers, incense, and bali) are evaluated by their phala (ethical-spiritual result). Yudhiṣṭhira seeks a clear account of the merit and proper understanding of bali-offering, emphasizing correct practice and informed devotion rather than mere outward action.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instructional dialogue, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses an elder authority (honored as ‘best of the Bharatas’) and asks for a renewed explanation. Having already heard the reward for offering flowers and incense, he now requests the specific fruit of performing bali according to prescribed rite.