Shloka 24
Dharma-vyādha’s Analysis of Moral Decline and the Mahābhūta–Guṇa Schema (धर्मव्याधोपदेशः)
देवमाल्यापनयन द्विजोच्छिष्टावमार्जनम्,नृपश्रेष्ठ! देवविग्रहोंपर चढ़े हुए चन्दन-पुष्प आदिको यथासमय उतारना, ब्राह्मणोंकी जूठन साफ करना, उन्हें चन्दन-माला आदिसे अलंकृत करना, उनकी सेवा-पूजा करना और उनके पैर आदि अंगोंको दबाना, इनमेंसे एक-एक कार्य गोदानसे भी अधिक महत्त्व रखता है
devamālyāpanayanaṃ dvijocchiṣṭāvamārjanam | nṛpaśreṣṭha! devavigrahopari caḍhe hue candana-puṣpādiko yathāsamaya utāranā, brāhmaṇoṃkī jūṭhana sāpha karanā, unheṃ candana-mālā ādisē alaṅkṛta karanā, unakī sevā-pūjā karanā aura unake pāra ādi aṅgoṃko dabanā—inmeṃse eka-eka kārya godānase bhī adhika mahattva rakhatā hai ||
摩罗迦ṇḍeya说道：“大王之最胜者啊，按时撤下安置于神像之上的檀香、花鬘及诸供物；清理婆罗门食后所余；以檀香膏与花鬘庄严他们；侍奉并礼拜他们；又温柔按摩其足与肢体——此等诸行，纵使仅行其一，功德亦胜于施牛之福。此种以敬畏与谦卑为本的侍奉，被宣说为更上之达摩。”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates humble, hands-on acts of reverent service—toward the deity’s worship and toward Brahmins (cleaning, adorning, attending, massaging)—as exceptionally meritorious, even surpassing the famed merit of godāna. It frames dharma not only as grand gifts but as sustained, respectful service.
Mārkaṇḍeya is instructing a king, praising specific ritual and social duties: timely handling of offerings on the deity’s image and attentive care for Brahmins. The passage functions as ethical counsel, ranking everyday devotional and service-oriented actions as high dharma.