Shloka 36
जनक-राज्ञः मौण्ड्य-परिव्रज्या-विवादः
Janaka’s Renunciation Questioned; Discourse on Dāna and Detachment
अग्न्याधेयानि गुर्वर्थ क्रतूनपि सुदक्षिणान् । ददात्यहरह: पूर्व को नु धर्मरतस्तत:
agnyādheyāni gurvarthaṃ kratūn api sudakṣiṇān | dadāty aharahaḥ pūrvaḥ ko nu dharmaratas tataḥ ||
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “Sino pa ang hihigit sa debosyon sa dharma kaysa sa taong araw-araw, una munang nagdadala ng mga patpat na panggatong (samidhā) para sa banal na apoy ng kanyang guro (agnihotra), at pagkatapos ay patuloy na nagsasagawa ng mga handog na may mainam na dakṣiṇā at walang tigil na nagbibigay ng kaloob? Ang gayong tao’y inuuna ang paglilingkod sa guru at ang pagpapanatili ng mga sagradong ritwal higit sa lahat.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds dharma as expressed through disciplined daily duty: serving one’s teacher first (guru-sevā) and sustaining sacred obligations through properly supported sacrifice and generous giving. It presents ritual responsibility and charity, grounded in reverence for the guru, as a high model of righteousness.
Arjuna poses a rhetorical question praising a person who daily brings fuel for the guru’s fire-rite and then performs well-endowed sacrifices and gifts. The point is to highlight an exemplary dharmic lifestyle—prioritizing service and religious duty—within the broader Shanti Parva discussion on conduct and righteousness.