Shloka 28
जनक-राज्ञः मौण्ड्य-परिव्रज्या-विवादः
Janaka’s Renunciation Questioned; Discourse on Dāna and Detachment
अन्नाद् गृहस्था लोकेडस्मिन् भिक्षवस्तत एव च । अन्नात् प्राण: प्रभवति अन्नद: प्राणदो भवेत्
annād gṛhasthā loke ’smin bhikṣavas tata eva ca | annāt prāṇaḥ prabhavati annadaḥ prāṇado bhavet ||
Sa mundong ito, nabubuhay ang mga maybahay sa pagkain, at ang mga pulubi-asceta ay umaasa rin sa mismong mga maybahay. Mula sa pagkain sumisibol ang lakas-buhay (prāṇa); kaya ang nagbibigay ng pagkain ay, sa diwa, nagbibigay ng buhay.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Food is the basis of life and social order; since life-breath depends on nourishment, giving food is ethically equivalent to giving life. The verse underscores anna-dāna as a primary form of dharma and a sustaining support for both household society and renunciant practice.
Within the Shānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct and social duties, the speaker emphasizes the interdependence of āśramas: householders produce and provide food, and mendicants rely on that provision. The statement frames generosity—especially feeding others—as a stabilizing force for peace and moral order.