Shloka 79
यक्ष उवाच किमर्थ ब्राह्मणे दानं किमर्थ नटनर्तके । किमर्थ चैव भृत्येषु किमर्थ चैव राजसु,यक्षने पूछा--ब्राह्मणको किसलिये दान दिया जाता है? नट और नर्तकोंको क्यों दान देते हैं? सेवकोंको दान देनेका क्या प्रयोजन है? और राजाओंको क्यों दान दिया जाता है?
yakṣa uvāca: kimarthaṃ brāhmaṇe dānaṃ? kimarthaṃ naṭanartake? kimarthaṃ caiva bhṛtyeṣu? kimarthaṃ caiva rājasu?
Wika ng Yaksha: “Sa anong layunin ibinibigay ang handog sa isang Brahmana? Sa anong layunin ibinibigay ito sa mga artista at mananayaw? Ano ang dahilan ng pagbibigay sa mga lingkod? At bakit nagbibigay ng mga kaloob sa mga hari?”
यक्ष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-inquiry into the aims of giving: different recipients represent different social functions—spiritual learning (Brahmins), cultural performance (actors/dancers), service and dependence (servants), and governance/protection (kings). The implied lesson is that dāna is ethically evaluated by purpose and context, not merely by the act of giving.
In the Yaksha’s questioning sequence (Yakṣa-praśna), the Yaksha tests the respondent’s understanding of dharma by asking why gifts are offered to various groups. The question is part of a larger examination of right conduct, social responsibility, and the proper motivations behind charity.