Shloka 16
Tapas-śreṣṭhatā: Anāśana as the Highest Austerity
Bhagīratha–Brahmā Saṃvāda
वाजिनां बाह्विजातानामयुतान्यददं दश । कर्काणां हेममालानां न च तेनाहमागत:
vājīnāṃ bāhvijātānām ayutāny adadaṃ daśa | karkāṇāṃ hemamālānāṃ na ca tenāham āgataḥ ||
Bhagīratha nói: “Ta đã bố thí mười nghìn tuấn mã thuần chủng, lại ban phát vô số vòng hoa vàng; thế nhưng nhờ những lễ vật ấy, ta vẫn không đạt được mục tiêu mình tìm cầu.”
भगीरथ उवाच
Educational Q&A
Material generosity, even on a vast scale, does not automatically yield the highest spiritual or ethical attainment; the desired end depends on inner disposition, right intention, and the appropriate dharmic means—not merely the quantity of gifts.
Bhagīratha reflects on his own acts of giving—donating large numbers of fine horses and golden garlands—and admits that these offerings did not bring him to the attainment he was aiming for, setting up a discussion on what truly leads to fulfillment or merit.