Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 163
Nakṣatra-yoga-anusāreṇa Dāna-vidhiḥ
Gifts prescribed according to lunar mansions and yogas
गोहिरण्यानि वासांसि तेनेन्द्र: प्रीयतां तव । बेटा! दोपहरके समय जो तुम ब्राह्मणोंको भोजन कराकर उन्हें गौ, सुवर्ण और वस्त्र प्रदान करते हो, इससे तुम्हारे ऊपर इन्द्रदेव प्रसन्न हों
gohiraṇyāṇi vāsāṃsi tenendraḥ prīyatāṃ tava |
毗湿摩说道：“孩子啊，你在正午供养婆罗门，使其受食，又施与牛、黄金与衣服，愿因陀罗因此悦纳于你。如此合时的款待与布施，被称颂为护持法（dharma）并招致天恩之行。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse commends dāna joined with hospitality: feeding Brahmins at the proper time and then gifting valuable items (cows, gold, garments) is presented as dharmic conduct that generates merit and invites divine approval, here expressed as Indra’s pleasure.
Bhishma, in his instruction on dharma, highlights a specific charitable practice—midday feeding of Brahmins followed by gifts—and frames it as an act that pleases Indra, reinforcing the ethical ideal of timely, respectful generosity.