Shloka 36
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
उदुम्बराण्यथान्यानि हेमगर्भाण्युपाहरन् । भृत्यास्तेषां ततस्तानि प्रग्राहितुमुपाद्रवन्
udumbarāṇy athānyāni hemagarbhāṇy upāharan | bhṛtyās teṣāṃ tatas tāni pragrāhītum upādravan |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: Pagkaraan, nagdala sila ng mga bungang udumbara at iba pang uri ng bunga, na ang loob ay pinuno ng ginto. Pagdaka, tumakbo ang mga lingkod ng hari sa kanilang likuran, na ibig maihabilin ang mga bungang iyon sa mga kamay ng mga rishi.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse supports the Anuśāsana-parvan’s broader teaching on dāna: gifts should be offered properly to worthy recipients with right intention; mere outward opulence (even disguising gold inside fruit) does not by itself define righteousness—ethical giving depends on motive, appropriateness, and respectful delivery.
Servants prepare udumbara and other fruits by filling them with gold and then rush after the sages to hand these ‘fruit-gifts’ over, indicating a royal attempt to ensure the sages accept a materially valuable offering.