Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 36
Viṣṇu-sahasranāma—Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Recitation (विष्णोर्नामसहस्रम्)
इस लोकमें दिये हुए दानका कभी नाश नहीं होता। चित्रगुप्तका यह मत सुनकर भगवान् सूर्यके शरीरमें रोमांच हो आया। उन महातेजस्वी सूर्यने सम्पूर्ण देवताओं और पितरोंसे कहा--“आपलोगोंने महामना चित्रगुप्तके धर्मविषयक गुप्त रहस्यको सुन लिया ।।
iha loke dattasya dānasya kadācid api nāśo na bhavati. citraguptasya etan mataṁ śrutvā bhagavataḥ sūryasya śarīre romāñcaḥ samajāyata. sa mahātejasvī sūryaḥ sarvān devān pitṝṁś ca uvāca—“yūyaṁ mahāmanasaḥ citraguptasya dharmaviṣayakaṁ gupta-rahasyaṁ śrutavantaḥ. śraddhayā ye martyā brāhmaṇeṣu mahātmasu dānam etat prayacchanti na teṣāṁ vidyate bhayam.”
Sa daigdig na ito, ang handog na naibigay ay hindi kailanman nawawala. Nang marinig ang pasya ni Chitragupta, ang pinagpalang Araw ay nanginig sa pagkamangha. Pagkaraan, ang maningning na Araw ay nagsalita sa lahat ng mga diyos at sa mga ninuno: “Narinig na ninyo ang lihim na hiwaga ng Dharma na binigkas ng dakilang si Chitragupta. Yaong mga mortal na, may pananampalataya sa mga Brahmin na dakila ang diwa, ay nag-aalay ng handog na ito—walang takot para sa kanila.”
यम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity (dāna) offered with faith and reverence—especially toward worthy recipients such as great-souled Brahmins—never becomes wasted; its merit endures, and it removes fear (notably fear of post-mortem consequences), affirming the lasting moral economy of dharma.
Yama reports that Chitragupta’s considered judgment about dharma is that a gift once given does not perish. The Sun-god, moved with awe, proclaims this ‘hidden secret of dharma’ to the assembled gods and ancestors, emphasizing that faithful donors become free from fear.