Shloka 27
Prāyaścitta-vidhāna: Tapas, Dāna, Vrata, and Proportional Expiation (प्रायश्चित्तविधानम्)
राजान्नं तेज आदत्ते शूद्रान्नं ब्रह्मवर्चसम् । आयु: सुवर्णकारान्नमवीरायाश्व॒ योषित:
rājānnaṁ teja ādatte śūdrānnaṁ brahmavarcasam | āyuḥ suvarṇakārānnam avīrāyāś ca yoṣitaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vyāsa: “Ang pagkaing tinanggap mula sa hari ay kumikitil sa tejas, ang panloob na ningning; ang pagkaing tinanggap mula sa isang Śūdra ay nagpapahina sa brahmavarcasa, ang liwanag na bunga ng banal na disiplina. Ang pagkaing mula sa panday-ginto, at ang pagkaing mula sa babaeng walang tagapagtanggol—walang asawa at walang anak na lalaki—ay sumisira sa kahabaan ng buhay.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that accepting food/support binds the recipient to the giver’s sphere of influence and qualities; therefore, one should be discerning about sources of livelihood, since improper dependence can diminish spiritual radiance (tejas), sacred lustre (brahmavarcas), and even vitality/longevity (āyuḥ).
In the didactic setting of Śānti Parva, Vyāsa delivers instruction on dharma and disciplined living. Here he lists categories of donors whose food is said to harm specific spiritual or vital qualities, functioning as a cautionary rule about purity, independence, and the moral consequences of patronage.