Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 14
Śāṇḍilī–Sumanā-saṃvāda: Sat-strī-samudācāra and Pati-dharma
Conduct of the Virtuous Wife
ततो दानपवित्रेण प्रीतो5स्मि तपसैव च । पुण्यस्यैव हि ते सत्त्वं पुण्यस्यैव च दर्शनम्
tato dānapavitreṇa prīto ’smi tapasāiva ca | puṇyasyaiva hi te sattvaṃ puṇyasyaiva ca darśanam ||
“Kaya ako’y lubhang nalulugod sa iyo—sa iyong pag-aayuno at pagdidisiplina (tapas) at sa pagiging banal nito sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay. Tunay, ang iyong lakas ay lakas na isinilang ng kabutihan, at ang iyong pagtanaw ay pagtanaw na nakaugat sa kabutihan.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity (tapas) becomes truly fruitful when purified and completed by generosity (dāna). Moral power and spiritual clarity are portrayed as arising from puṇya—merit earned through righteous conduct—rather than from mere self-denial.
Vyāsa addresses the listener with approval, praising their disciplined practice and emphasizing that their inner strength and spiritual vision are rooted in merit, especially because their austerity is sanctified through acts of giving.