Shloka 52
तीर्थवंशोपदेशः
Tīrtha-vaṃśa Upadeśa: Instruction on the Fruits of Sacred Waters
तस्करेभ्य: परेभ्यो वा ये भयार्ता युधिष्ठिर । अर्थिनो भोक्तुमिच्छन्ति तेषु दत्त महाफलम्
taskarebhyaḥ parebhyo vā ye bhayārtā yudhiṣṭhira | arthino bhoktum icchanti teṣu dattaṃ mahāphalam ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “O Yudhiṣṭhira, kapag ang mga namamanhik ay dumarating na pinahihirapan ng takot—maging sa mga magnanakaw o sa mga kaaway—at pagkain lamang ang hinihingi upang makakain, ang handog na ibinigay sa kanila ay nagbubunga ng dakilang kabutihan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Giving food to people who arrive in fear and distress—seeking only sustenance—is a highly meritorious act; charity is judged by the recipient’s vulnerability and immediate need.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma to Yudhiṣṭhira, he highlights a specific case of dāna: feeding those who have fled danger from robbers or enemies, emphasizing the exceptional spiritual fruit of such compassionate giving.