Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 37
Chatra–Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative
Jamadagni–Reṇukā–Sūrya Saṃvāda
गालव उवाच पापिषछेभ्यो हानर्घाह: स नरो<स्तु स्वपापकृत् । दत्त्वा दानं कीर्तयतु यस्ते हरति पुष्करम्
Gālava uvāca: pāpiṣṭhebhyo hānārghāḥ sa naro 'stu svapāpakṛt; dattvā dānaṃ kīrtayatu yas te harati puṣkaram.
伽罗婆说道：“愿那偷走你莲花的人，比最恶的罪人更为卑贱可鄙——凭其自身恶业，竟连亲族也加以祸害。纵使他施舍布施，也愿他成为那种亲口宣扬其施舍、求取称誉之人，而非依正法而行。”
गालव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condemns theft and moral shamelessness, and also criticizes performative charity—giving gifts while seeking self-praise—implying that true merit requires integrity and humility, not merely outward acts.
Gālava speaks a harsh denunciation of an unnamed person who has stolen ‘your lotus’ (puṣkara). He declares such a thief to be more contemptible than great sinners and portrays him as someone who even after giving charity would publicly boast about it.