Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 1023
Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
न्यायवृत्तिहि तपसा दानवित् स्वर्गमश्रुते । “मनुष्य क्रोधसे अपने दानके फलको नष्ट कर देता है। लोभके कारण वह स्वर्गमें नहीं जाने पाता। न्यायोपार्जित धनसे जीवन-निर्वाह करनेवाला और दानके महत्त्वको जाननेवाला पुरुष दान एवं तपस्याके द्वारा स्वर्गलोक प्राप्त कर लेता है
nyāyavṛttir hi tapasā dānavit svargam aśnute |
Ang sinumang namumuhay sa matuwid na paraan, nagsasagawa ng pag-aayuno at pagpipigil (tapas), at nakauunawa sa tunay na halaga ng pagbibigay ay makaaabot sa langit. Maaaring wasakin ng galit ang kabutihang naipon sa kawanggawa, at maaaring hadlangan ng kasakiman ang pagdating sa layuning makalangit; ngunit ang buhay na sinusuportahan ng yaman na natamo sa katarungan, kalakip ang pagkakawanggawa at pagpipigil-sa-sarili, ay humahantong sa mas mataas na daigdig.
श्षशुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Merit is protected and fulfilled when one earns by just means (nyāyavṛtti), restrains oneself through tapas, and gives with understanding (dānavit). Anger and greed undermine or obstruct the fruits of charity; disciplined generosity rooted in dharma leads to svarga.
An elder speaker (identified here as the father-in-law) instructs the listener on ethical living: control of anger and greed, earning wealth righteously, and practicing charity and austerity as the path to heavenly attainment.