Shloka 117
Dāna-Śreṣṭhatā: On the Superiority of Giving
Maitreya–Vyāsa Exemplum
तपोधन! अब मैं पुनः किसी शुभकर्मके द्वारा भविष्यमें सुख पानेकी आशा रखता हूँ। वह कल्याणकारी कर्म कया है, इसे मैं आपके मुखसे सुनना चाहता हूँ ।।
tapodhana! ahaṁ punaḥ kasyacit śubhakarmaṇā bhaviṣyati sukhaṁ prāptum āśāṁ dhārayāmi. tat kalyāṇakaraṁ karma kim? etat tava mukhāt śrotum icchāmi.
“O ascetang sagana sa tapa! Muli kong pinanghahawakan ang pag-asang sa hinaharap ay makakamit ko ang ligaya sa pamamagitan ng isang mabuting gawa. Ano ang gawang nagdudulot ng kapakanan? Nais kong marinig ito mula mismo sa iyong bibig.”
कीट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic inquiry: future well-being is sought through śubha-karma (meritorious action), and the proper understanding of such action should be learned from a qualified ascetic teacher—highlighting karma, moral causality, and the value of right instruction.
In the Kīṭopākhyāna within the Dāna-dharma section, the insect-speaker addresses an ascetic (tapodhana) and asks to be taught which beneficial deed can secure happiness in the future, signaling a turn toward ethical practice and guidance.