Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 163
Nakṣatra-yoga-anusāreṇa Dāna-vidhiḥ
Gifts prescribed according to lunar mansions and yogas
गोहिरण्यानि वासांसि तेनेन्द्र: प्रीयतां तव । बेटा! दोपहरके समय जो तुम ब्राह्मणोंको भोजन कराकर उन्हें गौ, सुवर्ण और वस्त्र प्रदान करते हो, इससे तुम्हारे ऊपर इन्द्रदेव प्रसन्न हों
gohiraṇyāṇi vāsāṃsi tenendraḥ prīyatāṃ tava |
Wika ni Bhishma: “Anak ko, sa pagpapakain mo sa mga Brahman sa tanghaling tapat, at pagkakaloob mo sa kanila ng mga baka, ginto, at mga kasuotan, nawa’y malugod sa iyo si Indra. Ang pag-aanyaya at pag-aaruga sa tamang oras, at ang gayong pagkakawanggawa, ay pinupuri bilang mga gawang nagtataguyod ng dharma at nagdudulot ng pabor ng mga diyos.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse commends dāna joined with hospitality: feeding Brahmins at the proper time and then gifting valuable items (cows, gold, garments) is presented as dharmic conduct that generates merit and invites divine approval, here expressed as Indra’s pleasure.
Bhishma, in his instruction on dharma, highlights a specific charitable practice—midday feeding of Brahmins followed by gifts—and frames it as an act that pleases Indra, reinforcing the ethical ideal of timely, respectful generosity.