Shloka 5
Chapter 84: Brahmā’s Counsel on Tāraka, the Search for Agni, and the Genesis of Skanda
Kārttikeya
मान्धाता यौवनाश्रवश्व ययातिर्नहुषस्तथा । गा वै ददनत: सततं सहस्रशतसम्मिता:
Māndhātā Yauvanāśvaś ca Yayātir Nahuṣas tathā | gā vai dadantaḥ satataṁ sahasraśata-sammitāḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“曼陀诃多、优婆那湿婆、耶耶提，以及那护沙——这些在古老传承中著称的君王，常常施舍牛群，其所施之数多至数十万。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds dāna—especially the gifting of cows—as a hallmark of righteous kingship. By citing celebrated rulers, Bhīṣma frames generosity as a sustained ethical practice (not an occasional act) that supports dharma and accrues merit.
Bhīṣma is instructing on dharma by invoking well-known ancient kings as precedents. He lists Māndhātā, Yauvanāśva, Yayāti, and Nahuṣa as continual donors of immense numbers of cows, reinforcing the tradition of royal largesse.