Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 23
Umā–Maheśvara-saṃvāda: Varṇa-bhraṃśa, Ācāra (Vṛtta), and Karmic Ascent/Decline
ताम्रपात्रेण दातव्यमन्यथाल्पफलं भवेत् | गुहामेतत् समुद्दिष्टं यथा तुष्यन्ति देवता:
tāmrapātreṇa dātavyam anyathā alpaphalaṃ bhavet | guhā etat samuddiṣṭaṃ yathā tuṣyanti devatāḥ ||
婆罗罗摩说道：“当以铜器行供；否则所得功德之果便微薄。此乃被传为守护之训，几近秘旨——依此而行，诸神欢喜。”
बलदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the manner and ritual propriety of giving matters: offerings made in a copper vessel are said to yield fuller merit, while neglecting this detail diminishes the spiritual result; the aim is to please the gods through correct observance.
Baladeva (Balarāma) is instructing about ritual conduct connected with offerings and religious giving, presenting a specific rule—use of a copper vessel—as a confidential guideline that leads to divine satisfaction.