Śuka’s Nirveda: Vyāsa’s Admonition on Dharma, Impermanence, and ‘Imperishable Wealth’ (अक्षय-धन)
अनृशंस: शुचिर्दान्त: सत्यवागार्जवे स्थित: । योनिकर्मविशुद्धश्न पात्र स्याद् वेदविद् द्विज:
anṛśaṁsaḥ śucir dāntaḥ satyavāg ārjave sthitaḥ | yonikarmaviśuddhaś ca pātraṁ syād vedavid dvijaḥ ||
毗湿摩言:通达吠陀之婆罗门,若具慈悲而不残忍,行止清净,自制诸根,言语真实,安住于坦直;并且出身(族系)与行为两方面皆清净,则为受施之最上福田。
भीष्म उवाच
The core teaching is that the right recipient of charity (pātra) is defined by moral character and disciplined conduct—compassion, purity, self-restraint, truthfulness, and straightforwardness—together with recognized purity of lineage and deeds, and Vedic learning.
In the Śānti Parva’s dharma instruction, Bhīṣma is advising on norms of righteous giving (dāna), specifying the ethical qualifications that make a Veda-knowing Brahmin the most suitable recipient.