Shloka 26
Adhyāya 42 (Śānti Parva): Śrāddha, Aurdhvadaihika Rites, and Royal Welfare Measures
रत्नानि च विचित्राणि महाहाणि महायशा: । महायशस्वी राजा धुृतराष्ट्रने अपने पुत्रोंके श्राद्धमें समस्त कमनीय गुणोंसे युक्त अन्न, गो, धन और बहुमूल्य विचित्र रत्न प्रदान किये
ratnāni ca vicitrāṇi mahārhāṇi mahāyaśāḥ | mahāyaśasvī rājā dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ svaputrāṇāṃ śrāddhe samasta-kamanīya-guṇaiḥ yuktaṃ annaṃ go-dhanaṃ ca bahumūlya-vicitra-ratnāni pradadau |
毗湿摩波耶那说道：声名显赫的持国王，在为其诸子举行的施罗陀（śrāddha）祭仪中，布施具足诸般可喜之德的饮食，又施与牛群、财帛，以及许多珍贵奇巧的宝石。叙事由此凸显：在宗族凋零的劫难之后，国王以厚施尽礼，力求对亡者尽责，希冀功德与合乎礼法的圆满。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights śrāddha and dāna as duties: honoring the departed through proper rites and generous giving. Ethical emphasis falls on fulfilling obligations with sincerity and abundance, using wealth to support dharmic acts and to seek merit for oneself and one’s ancestors.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that King Dhṛtarāṣṭra performs śrāddha for his sons and distributes high-quality food, cows, wealth, and precious gems as ritual gifts, reflecting royal-scale charity and the post-war context of mourning and duty.