Shloka 5
Nakṣatra-yoga-anusāreṇa Dāna-vidhiḥ
Gifts prescribed according to lunar mansions and yogas
ग्रियते याचमानो वै न जातु प्रियते ददत् । ददत् संजीवयत्येनमात्मानं च युधिष्ठिर,याचक मर जाता है, किंतु दाता कभी नहीं मरता। युधिष्ठिर! दाता इस याचकको और अपनेको भी जीवित रखता है
griyate yācamāno vai na jātu priyate dadat | dadat saṃjīvayaty enam ātmānaṃ ca yudhiṣṭhira ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Ang namamalimos ay nauubos at sa huli’y napapahamak, ngunit ang nagbibigay ay hindi kailanman tunay na napapahamak. O Yudhishthira, sa pagbibigay, ang nagkakaloob ay nagtataguyod sa humihingi—at itinataguyod din ang sarili niyang buhay.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that dāna (generosity) is life-sustaining: the act of giving supports the needy and also preserves the giver’s own well-being and lasting worth. Begging is depicted as depleting, while giving is portrayed as strengthening and enduring.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma, especially the duties of a ruler and householder. Here he emphasizes the ethical superiority and sustaining power of giving over the vulnerability and depletion associated with continual begging.