Shloka 20
Āloka-dāna (Dīpa-dāna), Sumanas–Dhūpa–Dīpa Phala: Manu–Suvarṇa and Śukra–Bali Exempla
मनो ह्वादयते यस्माच्छियं चापि दधाति च । तस्मात् सुमनस: प्रोक्ता नरै: सुकृतकर्मभि:,फूल मनको आह्लाद प्रदान करता है और शोभा एवं सम्पत्तिका आधान करता है, इसलिये पुण्यात्मा मनुष्योंने उसे सुमन कहा है
mano hvādayate yasmāc chriyaṃ cāpi dadhāti ca | tasmāt sumanasaḥ proktā naraiḥ sukṛtakarmabhiḥ ||
Śukra nói: “Vì nó làm tâm hoan hỷ và cũng ban vẻ đẹp cùng phú quý, nên những người có công hạnh đã gọi nó là ‘sumanas’—điều khiến lòng trở nên thiện mỹ.”
शुक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links virtue with auspicious outcomes: what brings wholesome joy to the mind and supports beauty and prosperity is praised and named by the meritorious. It highlights how ethical conduct (sukṛta-karma) shapes refined perception and values—seeing and honoring what uplifts and benefits life.
In Śukra’s discourse within the Anuśāsana Parva, he explains the significance of ‘sumanas’ through a nirukti-style (etymological) justification: it is so called because it delights the mind and confers śrī (beauty/prosperity).