Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 3.203
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3.203.1
श्रुत्वा स राजा राजर्षिरिन्द्रद्युम्नस्य तत्तदा ।
मार्कण्डेयान्महाभागात्स्वर्गस्य प्रतिपादनम् ॥ ३.२०३.१ ॥
Having heard that account of Indradyumna and the teaching about heaven from the greatly fortunate Mārkaṇḍeya, that royal sage king...
3.203.2
युधिष्ठिरो महाराज पुनः पप्रच्छ तं मुनिम् ।
कीदृशीषु ह्यवस्थासु दत्त्वा दानं महामुने।
इन्द्रलोकं त्वनुभवेत्पुरुषस्तद्ब्रवीहि मे ॥ ३.२०३.२ ॥
Yudhiṣṭhira, great king, asked that sage again: O great sage, in what conditions, having given a gift, does a man experience the world of Indra? Tell me that.
3.203.3
गार्हस्थ्येऽप्यथवा बाल्ये यौवने स्थाविरेऽपि वा ।
यथा फलं समश्नाति तथा त्वं कथयस्व मे ॥ ३.२०३.३ ॥
Whether in the householder stage, or in childhood, in youth, or even in old age, tell me how one fully enjoys the fruit of it.
3.203.4
वृथा जन्मानि चत्वारि वृथा दानानि षोडश ।
वृथा जन्म ह्यपुत्रस् ये च धर्मबहिष्कृताः ॥ ३.२०३.४ ॥
Four births are in vain, sixteen gifts are in vain; the birth of one without a son is in vain, and so are those cast out from dharma.
3.203.5
परपाकं च येऽश्नन्ति आत्मार्थं च पचेत्तु यः ।
पर्यश्नन्ति वृथा यत्र तदसत्यं प्रकीर्त्यते ॥ ३.२०३.५ ॥
Those who eat food cooked by others, those who cook for themselves alone, and those who eat everything in vain where it is useless, that is declared to be untrue.
3.203.6
आरूढपतिते दत्तमन्यायोपहृतं च यत् ।
व्यर्थं तु पतिते दानं ब्राह्मणे तस्करे तथा ॥ ३.२०३.६ ॥
A gift given to one who has fallen from a height, and what is obtained by injustice, is in vain; a gift given to a fallen brahmin or to a thief is likewise in vain.
3.203.7
गुरौ चानृतिके पापे कृतघ्ने ग्रामयाजके ।
वेदविक्रयिणे दत्तं तथा वृषलयाजके ॥ ३.२०३.७ ॥
A gift to a teacher who is a liar, sinful, ungrateful, a village sacrificer, a seller of the Veda, or one who performs sacrifice for a śūdra is likewise fruitless.
3.203.8
ब्रह्मबन्धुषु यद्दत्तं यद्दत्तं वृषलीपतौ ।
स्त्रीजितेषु च यद्दत्तं व्यालग्राहे तथैव च ॥ ३.२०३.८ ॥
What is given to unworthy brahmin kinsmen, to the husband of a śūdra woman, to those ruled by women, and likewise to a snake-charmer, is also fruitless.
3.203.9
परिचारकेषु यद्दत्तं वृथा दानानि षोडश ।
तमोवृतस्तु यो दद्याद्भयात्क्रोधात्तथैव च ॥ ३.२०३.९ ॥
A gift to servants is fruitless; these sixteen gifts are fruitless. And whoever, shrouded in darkness, gives out of fear or out of anger, that gift too is likewise fruitless.
3.203.10
भुङ्क्ते च दानं तत्सर्वं गर्भस्थस्तु नरः सदा ।
ददद्दानं द्विजातिभ्यो वृद्धभावेन मानवः ॥ ३.२०३.१० ॥
A man who is still in the womb always enjoys the fruit of all that gift; and a man who gives gifts to the twice-born, in old age, (enjoys its fruit as well).
3.203.11
तस्मात्सर्वास्ववस्थासु सर्वदानानि पार्थिव ।
दातव्यानि द्विजातिभ्यः स्वर्गमार्गजिगीषया ॥ ३.२०३.११ ॥
Therefore, O king, in all stages of life all gifts should be given to the twice-born, out of desire to conquer the path to heaven.
3.203.12
चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य सर्वस्य वर्तमानाः प्रतिग्रहे ।
केन विप्रा विशेषेण तारयन्ति तरन्ति च ॥ ३.२०३.१२ ॥
By what means, especially, do brahmins who are engaged in receiving gifts from all four social orders ferry others across and themselves cross over?
3.203.13
जपैर्मन्त्रैश्च होमैश्च स्वाध्यायाध्यायनेन च ।
नावं वेदमयीं कृत्वातारयन्ति तरन्ति च ॥ ३.२०३.१३ ॥
By recitation, mantras, oblations, self-study and the study of the Veda, having made a boat of the Veda, they ferry others across and cross over themselves.
3.203.14
ब्राह्मणांस्तोषयेद्यस्तु तुष्यन्ते तस्य देवताः ।
वचनाच्चापि विप्राणां स्वर्गलोकमवाप्नुयात् ॥ ३.२०३.१४ ॥
He who pleases the brahmins, the gods are pleased with him; and by the word of brahmins he obtains the heavenly world.
3.203.15
अनन्तं पुण्यलोकं तु गन्ताऽसौ तु न संशयः ।
श्लेष्मादिभिर्व्याप्ततनुर्म्रियमाणोऽविचेतनः ॥ ३.२०३.१५ ॥
He will certainly go to the endless world of merit, there is no doubt, even if his body is overcome by phlegm and the like, and he is unconscious while dying.
3.203.16
ब्राह्णा एव संपूज्याः पुण्यं स्वर्गमभीप्सता ।
श्राद्धकाले तु यत्नेन भोक्तव्या ह्यजुगुप्सिताः ॥ ३.२०३.१६ ॥
One who desires merit and heaven should honour only brahmins; at the time of the shraddha rite, with care, one should feed only unblemished ones.
3.203.17
दुर्बलः कुनस्वी कुष्ठी मायावी कुण्डगोलकौ ।
वर्जनीयाः प्रयत्नेन काण्डपृष्ठाश्च देहिनः ॥ ३.२०३.१७ ॥
The weak, the one with a corpse-defect, the leper, the deceiver, the kunda and golaka (children of adultery), and the hunchbacked embodied beings should be carefully avoided.
3.203.18
जुगुप्सितं हि यच्छ्राद्धं दहत्यग्निरिवेन्धनम् ॥ ३.२०३.१८ ॥
For a defiled shraddha rite burns like fire burns fuel.
3.203.19
ये ये श्राद्धे न पूज्यन्ते मूकान्धबधिरादयः ।
तेऽपिसर्वे नियोक्तव्या मिश्रिता वेदपारगैः ॥ ३.२०३.१९ ॥
Whoever among the mute, the blind, the deaf and the like are not honored at the śrāddha, all of them too should be appointed, mixed with those who have mastered the Vedas.
3.203.20
प्रतिग्रहश्च वै देयः शृणु यस् युधिष्ठिर ।
प्रदातारं तथाऽऽत्मानं यस्तारयति शक्तिमान् ॥ ३.२०३.२० ॥
Acceptance of gifts too must be given — listen, Yudhiṣṭhira: the capable one is he who carries across both the giver and himself.
3.203.21
तस्मिन्देयं द्विजे दानं सर्वागमविजानता ।
प्रदातारं तथाऽऽत्मानं तारयेद्यः स शक्तिमान् ॥ ३.२०३.२१ ॥
A gift should be given to that twice-born one who knows all the scriptures; he is capable who carries across both the giver and himself.
3.203.22
न तथा हविषो होमैर्न पुष्पैर्नानुलेपनैः ।
अग्नयः पार्थ तुष्यन्ति यथा ह्यतिथिभोजने ॥ ३.२०३.२२ ॥
Not so much are the fires pleased by oblations of clarified butter, nor by flowers, nor by anointings, O Pārtha, as they are pleased by feeding a guest.
3.203.23
तस्मात्त्वंसर्वयत्नेन यतस्वातिथिभोजने ॥ ३.२०३.२३ ॥
Therefore, with every effort, you should strive in feeding guests.
3.203.24
पादोदकंपादघृतंदीपमन्नं प्रतिश्रयम् ।
प्रयच्छन्ति तु ये राजन्नोपसर्पन्ति ते यमम् ॥ ३.२०३.२४ ॥
Those who give water for the feet, ghee for the feet, a lamp, food and shelter — O king, they do not approach Yama.
3.203.25
देवमाल्यापनयनं द्विजोच्छिष्टावमार्जनम् ।
आकल्पपरिचर्या च गात्रसंवाहनानि च।
अत्रैकैकं नृपश्रेष्ठ गोदानाद्व्यतिरिच्यते ॥ ३.२०३.२५ ॥
Removing a god's garland, wiping away a twice-born man's leftovers, serving in dress and adornment, and massaging the limbs — O best of kings, each of these is surpassed by the gift of a cow.
3.203.26
कपिलायाः प्रदानात्तु मुच्यते नात्र संशयः ।
तस्मादलंकृतां दद्यात्कपिलां तु द्विजातये ॥ ३.२०३.२६ ॥
By giving a tawny cow one is indeed freed; of this there is no doubt. Therefore one should give an adorned tawny cow to a twice-born man.
3.203.27
श्रोत्रियाय दरिद्राय गृहस्थायाग्निहोत्रिणे ।
पुत्रदाराभिभूताय तथा ह्यनुपकारिणे ॥ ३.२०३.२७ ॥
To a learned brahmin, to a poor man, to a householder who keeps the agnihotra fire, to one overwhelmed by sons and wife, and likewise to one who does no favour in return.
3.203.28
एवंविधेषु दातव्या न समृद्धेषु भारत ।
को गुणो भरतश्रेष्ठ समृद्धेष्वभिवर्जितम् ॥ ३.२०३.२८ ॥
Gifts should be given to such people, not to the prosperous. O best of the Bharatas, what merit is there in giving to the prosperous? That is forbidden.
3.203.29
एकस्यैका प्रदातव्या न बहूनां कदाचन ।
सा गौर्विक्रयमापन्ना हन्यात्रिपुरुषं कुलम्।
न तारयति दातारं ब्राह्मणं नैव नैव तु ॥ ३.२०३.२९ ॥
To one person one cow should be given, never to many. That cow, if it has been sold, destroys the family for three generations; it saves neither the giver nor the brahmin — never.
3.203.30
ब्राह्मणस्य विशुद्धस्य सुवर्णं यः प्रयच्छति ।
सुवर्णानां शतं तेन दत्तं भवति शाश्वतम् ॥ ३.२०३.३० ॥
He who gives gold to a pure brahmin is considered to have given a hundred gold pieces; that gift becomes everlasting.
3.203.31
अनड्वाहं तु यो दद्याद्बलवन्तं धुरंधरम् ।
स निस्तरति दुर्गाणि स्वर्गलोकं च गच्छति ॥ ३.२०३.३१ ॥
He who gives a strong ox fit for bearing the yoke crosses over difficult dangers and goes to the heaven world.
3.203.32
वसुंधरां तु यो दद्याद्द्विजाय विदुषात्मने ।
दातारं ह्यनुगच्छन्ति सर्वे कामाभिवाञ्छिताः ॥ ३.२०३.३२ ॥
He who gives the earth to a learned twice-born man, all desired objects follow the giver.
3.203.33
पृच्छन्ति चान्नदातारं वदन्ति पुरुषा भुवि ।
अध्वनि क्षीणगात्राश्च पांसुना चावकुण्ठिताः ॥ ३.२०३.३३ ॥
On the road, people with wasted bodies and covered in dust ask the giver of food and speak to him on earth.
3.203.34
तेषामेव श्रमार्तानां यो ह्यन्नं कथयेद्बुधः ।
अन्नदातृसमः सोपि कीर्त्यते नात्र संशयः ॥ ३.२०३.३४ ॥
The wise man who tells the weary where food may be found is praised as equal to the giver of food; there is no doubt of this.
3.203.35
तस्मात्त्वं सर्वदानानि हित्वाऽन्नं संप्रयच्छ ह ।
न हीदृशं पुण्यफलं विचित्रामिह विद्यते ॥ ३.२०३.३५ ॥
Therefore, set aside all other gifts and give food, for no fruit of merit is so wondrous as this one here.
3.203.36
यथाशक्ति च यो दद्यादन्नं विप्रेषु संस्कृतम् ।
स तेन कर्मणाऽऽप्नोति प्रजापतिसलोकताम् ॥ ३.२०३.३६ ॥
He who, according to his means, gives prepared food to brahmins attains, by that deed, the world of Prajāpati.
3.203.37
अन्नमेव विशिष्टं हि तस्मात्परतरं न च ।
अन्नं प्रजापतिश्चोक्तः स च संवत्सरो मतः ॥ ३.२०३.३७ ॥
Food indeed is the most excellent; there is nothing higher than it. Food is declared to be Prajāpati, and it is held to be the year.
3.203.38
संवत्सरस्तु यज्ञोऽसौ सर्वं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम् ।
तस्मात्सर्वाणि भूतानि स्थावराणि चराणि च ॥ ३.२०३.३८ ॥
That year is indeed the sacrifice, and everything is established in the sacrifice. Therefore all beings, the immovable and the movable, (depend upon it).
3.203.39
तस्मादन्नं विशिष्टं हि सर्वेभ्यइति विश्रुतम् ॥ ३.२०३.३९ ॥
Therefore food is renowned as the most excellent of all things.
3.203.40
येषां तटाकानि महोदकानि ।
वाप्यश्चकूपाश्चप्रतिश्रयाश्च।
अन्नस्य दानं मधुरा च वाणी ।
यमस्य ते निर्वचना भवन्ति ॥ ३.२०३.४० ॥
For those who have great ponds full of water, step-wells, wells and resting-places, who give food in charity and speak sweet words, they become unquestioned before Yama.
3.203.41
धान्यं श्रमेणार्जितवित्तसंचितं ।
विप्रे सुशीले प्रतियच्छते यः।
वसुंधरा तस्य भवेत्सुतुष्टा ।
धारां वसूनां प्रतिमुञ्चतीव ॥ ३.२०३.४१ ॥
The one who gives grain, earned and gathered by labor, to a well-conducted brahmin, the earth becomes greatly pleased with him, as if she were pouring forth a stream of wealth.
3.203.42
अन्नदाः प्रथमं यान्ति सत्यवाक्यदनन्तरम् ।
अयाचितप्रदाता च समं यान्ति त्रयो जनाः ॥ ३.२०३.४२ ॥
Givers of food go first, after them the speakers of truth; and the giver unasked—these three go alike.
3.203.43
कौतूहलसमुत्पन्नः पर्यपृच्छद्युधिष्ठिरः ।
मार्कण्डेयं महात्मानं पुनरेव सहानुजः ॥ ३.२०३.४३ ॥
Moved by curiosity, Yudhiṣṭhira asked the great-souled Mārkaṇḍeya again, together with his younger brothers.
3.203.44
यमलोकस्य चाध्वानमन्तरं मानुषस्य च ।
कीदृशं किंप्रमाणं वा कथं वा तन्महामुने।
तरन्ति पुरुषाश्चैव केनोपायेन शंस मे ॥ ३.२०३.४४ ॥
O great sage, what is the road to Yama's world, and the distance from the human world to it? What is its measure, and by what means do men cross it? Tell me.
3.203.45
सर्वगुह्यतनं प्रश्नं पवित्रमृषिसंस्तुतम् ।
कथयिष्यामि ते राजन्धर्मं धर्मभृतांवर ॥ ३.२०३.४५ ॥
O king, best of those who bear dharma, your question is the most secret of all secrets, sacred and praised by the sages; I shall tell you that dharma.
3.203.46
षडशीतिसहस्राणि योजनानां नराधिप ।
यमलोकस्य चाध्वानमन्तरं मानुषस्य च ॥ ३.२०३.४६ ॥
Lord of men, the road to Yama's world, and the distance from the human world to it, is eighty-six thousand yojanas.
3.203.47
आकाशं तदपानीयं घोरं कान्तारदर्शनम् ।
न तत्र वृक्षच्छाया वा पानीनं केतनानि च ॥ ३.२०३.४७ ॥
That road is like the sky, waterless and terrible, appearing as a wilderness; there is no shade of trees there, no water, and no shelters.
3.203.48
विश्रमेद्यत्र वै श्रान्तः पुरुषोऽध्वनि कर्शितः ।
नीयते यमदूतैस्तु यमस्वाज्ञाकरैर्बलात् ॥ ३.२०३.४८ ॥
Where a weary, worn-out man on the road wishes to rest, there Yama's messengers, who carry out Yama's own commands, lead him away by force.
3.203.49
नराः स्त्रियस्तथैवान्ये पृथिव्यां जीवसंज्ञिताः ।
ब्रह्मणेभ्यः प्रदानानि नानारूपाणि पार्थिव ॥ ३.२०३.४९ ॥
Men, women, and others on the earth, who are called living beings, make gifts of many kinds to brahmins, O king.
3.203.50
हयादीनां प्रकृष्टानि तेऽध्वानं यान्ति वै नराः ।
सन्निवार्यातपं यानति च्छत्रेणैव हि च्छत्रदाः ॥ ३.२०३.५० ॥
Men who have given excellent gifts such as horses go along the path; those who give parasols go with a parasol that wards off the sun's heat.
3.203.51
तृप्ताश्चैवान्नदातारो ह्यतृप्ताश्चाप्यनन्नदाः ।
वस्त्रिणो वस्त्रदा यान्ति अवस्त्रा यान्त्यवस्त्रदाः ॥ ३.२०३.५१ ॥
Givers of food go satisfied, while non-givers of food go unsatisfied; givers of clothing go clothed, while non-givers of clothing go unclothed.
3.203.52
हिरण्यदाः सुखं यान्ति पुरुषास्त्वभ्यलंकृताः ।
भूमिदास्तुसुखं यान्ति सर्वैः कामैः सुतर्पिताः ॥ ३.२०३.५२ ॥
Givers of gold go happily, adorned; givers of land go happily, fully satisfied in all desires.
3.203.53
यान्ति चैवापरिक्लिष्टा नरा सस्यप्रदावकाः ।
नराः सुखतरं यान्ति विमानेषु गृहप्रदाः ॥ ३.२०३.५३ ॥
Men who gave grain go untroubled and abundant; men who gave houses go far more happily in celestial chariots.
3.203.54
पानीयदा ह्यतृषिताः प्रहृष्टमनसो नराः ।
पन्थानं द्योतयन्तश्च यान्ति दीपप्रदाः सुखम् ॥ ३.२०३.५४ ॥
Givers of water go free from thirst, with glad hearts; givers of lamps go happily, lighting the path.
3.203.55
गोप्रदास्तु सुखं यान्ति निर्मुक्ताः सर्वपातकैः ।
विमानैर्हंससंयुक्तैर्यान्ति मासोपवासिनः ॥ ३.२०३.५५ ॥
Those who give cows go happily, freed from all sins; those who fast for a month go in celestial chariots yoked with swans.
3.203.56
तथा बर्हिप्रयुक्तैश्च षष्ठरात्रोपवासिनः ।
त्रिरात्रं क्षपते यस्तु एकभक्तेन पाण्डव ॥ ३.२०३.५६ ॥
Likewise those who use kuśa grass and those who fast six nights; and you, O Pāṇḍava, who passes three nights with one meal a day.
3.203.57
अन्तरा चैव नाश्नाति तस्य लोका ह्यनामयाः ।
पानीयस्य गुणा दिव्याः प्रेतलोकसुखावहाः ॥ ३.२०३.५७ ॥
For him who eats nothing in between, his worlds are indeed free from disease; the divine qualities of water bring happiness even to the world of the dead.
3.203.58
तत्र पुष्पोदका नाम नदी तेषां विधीयते ।
शीतलं सलिलं तत्रपिबन्ति ह्यमृतोपमम् ॥ ३.२०३.५८ ॥
There a river named Puṣpodā is appointed for them; there they drink cool water, like nectar.
3.203.59
ये चदृष्कृतकर्माणः पूयं तेषां विधीयते ।
एवं नदी महाराज सर्वकामप्रदा हि सा ॥ ३.२०३.५९ ॥
And for those whose deeds are evil, pus is appointed; thus, O great king, that river indeed grants all desires.
3.203.60
तस्मात्त्वमपि राजेन्द्र पूजयैनान्यथाविधि ।
अध्वनिं क्षीणगात्रश्च पथि पांशुसमन्वितः ॥ ३.२०३.६० ॥
Therefore, O lord of kings, you too should honour them according to rule — the traveller with a wasted body, covered with the dust of the road.
3.203.61
पृच्छते ह्यन्नदातारं गृहमायाति चाशया ।
तं पूजयाथ यत्नेन सोऽतिथिर्ब्राह्यणश्च सः ॥ ३.२०३.६१ ॥
Vaiśampāyana: To one who comes to the house of the giver of food, asking with hope, honour him with care; he is a guest and a brahmin.
3.203.62
तं यान्तमनुगच्छन्ति देवाः सर्वे सवासवाः ।
तस्मिन्संपूजिते प्रीता निराशा यान्त्यपूजिते ॥ ३.२०३.६२ ॥
Vaiśampāyana: When he departs, all the gods together with Vāsava follow him; pleased when he is honoured, they depart disappointed when he is not.
3.203.63
तस्मात्त्वमपि राजेन्द्र पूजयैनं यथाविधि ।
एतत्ते शतशः प्रोक्तं किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ ३.२०३.६३ ॥
Vaiśampāyana: Therefore, O lord of kings, you too should honour him according to the rule. This has been told to you a hundred times; what more do you wish to hear?
3.203.64
पुनः पुनरहं श्रोतुं कथां धर्मसमाश्रयाम् ।
पुण्यामिच्छामि धर्मज्ञ कथ्यमानां त्वया विभो ॥ ३.२०३.६४ ॥
Yudhiṣṭhira: Again and again I wish to hear this sacred story resting on dharma, O lord, O knower of dharma, as it is told by you.
3.203.65
धर्मान्तरं प्रति कथां कथ्यमानां मया नृप ।
सर्वपापहरां नित्यं शृणुष्वावहितो मम ॥ ३.२०३.६५ ॥
Mārkaṇḍeya: This story, which I am telling about another aspect of dharma, O king, always removes all sins; listen to me attentively.
3.203.66
कपिलायां तु दत्तायां यत्फलंज्येष्ठपुष्करे ।
तत्फलंभरतश्रेष्ठ विप्राणां पादधावने ॥ ३.२०३.६६ ॥
Mārkaṇḍeya: The fruit that comes from giving a tawny cow at Jyeṣṭha-Puṣkara, that same fruit, O best of the Bharatas, comes from washing the feet of brahmins.
3.203.67
द्विजपादोदकक्लिन्ना यावत्तिष्ठति मेदिनी ।
तावत्पुष्करपर्णेन पिबन्ति पितरो जलम् ॥ ३.२०३.६७ ॥
As long as the earth remains soaked with the water that has washed the feet of Brahmins, the ancestors drink water through a lotus leaf.
3.203.68
स्वागतेनाग्नयस्तृप्ता आसनेन शतक्रतुः ।
पितरः पादशौचेन अन्नाद्येन प्रजापतिः ॥ ३.२०३.६८ ॥
The sacred fires are satisfied by a welcome greeting, Śatakratu (Indra) by a seat, the ancestors by the washing of feet, and the lord of creatures by food and the like.
3.203.69
यावद्वत्सस्य पादौ द्वौ शिरश्चैव प्रदृश्यते ।
तस्मिन्काले प्रदातव्या प्रयतेनान्तरात्मना ॥ ३.२०३.६९ ॥
As long as the two feet and the head of the calf are seen, at that moment one should give (the cow) with a restrained inner self.
3.203.70
अन्तरिक्षगतो वत्सो यावद्योन्यां प्रदृश्यते ।
तावद्गौः पृथिवी ज्ञेया यावद्गर्भं न मुञ्चति ॥ ३.२०३.७० ॥
As long as the calf is seen at the birth passage, as though it were in the air, the cow is to be known as the earth, for as long as it does not release the womb.
3.203.71
यावन्ति तस्यां रोमाणि वत्सस्य च युधिष्ठिर ।
तावद्युगसहस्राणि स्वर्लोके महीयते ॥ ३.२०३.७१ ॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, for as many thousands of ages as there are hairs upon her and upon the calf, he is honored in the heavenly world.
3.203.72
सुवर्णनासां यः कृत्वा सखुरां कृष्णधेनुकाम् ।
तिलैः प्रच्छादितां दद्यात्सर्वरत्नैरलंकृताम् ॥ ३.२०३.७२ ॥
He who makes a black cow with a golden nose and hooves, covers her with sesame, adorns her with all the jewels, and gives her away.
3.203.73
प्रतिग्रहं गृहीत्वा यः पुनर्ददति साधवे ।
फलानां फलमश्नाति तदा दत्त्वा च भारत ॥ ३.२०३.७३ ॥
He who, having received a gift, gives it again to a worthy man, O Bhārata, enjoys the fruit of fruits by having given.
3.203.74
ससमुद्रगुहा तेन सशैलवनकानना ।
चतुरन्ता भवेद्दत्ता पृथिवी नात्र संशयः ॥ ३.२०३.७४ ॥
By him, the earth bounded by four shores, with its oceans, caves, mountains, woods and groves, would be given; of this there is no doubt.
3.203.75
अन्तर्जानुशयो यस्तु भुञ्जते सक्तभाजनः ।
यो द्विजः शब्दरहितं संयन्तुस्तारणाय वै ॥ ३.२०३.७५ ॥
The twice-born who lies with knees drawn within and eats from a vessel of barley-meal, without speech, is indeed for the deliverance of the restrained one.
3.203.76
ये पानीयानि ददति तथाऽन्ये ये द्विजातयः ।
जपन्ति संहितां सम्यक्ते नित्यं तारणक्षमाः ॥ ३.२०३.७६ ॥
Those who give water, and likewise the other twice-born who properly recite the Saṃhitā, are always capable of delivering others.
3.203.77
हव्यंकव्यं च यत्किंचित्सर्वं तच्छ्रोत्रियोऽर्हति ।
दत्तं हि श्रोत्रिये साधौज्यलितेऽग्नौ यथा हुतम् ॥ ३.२०३.७७ ॥
Whatever is offered as oblation or as offering to the ancestors, all of it is fitting for a learned brahmin; for what is given to a learned and good man is as if offered into a blazing fire.
3.203.78
मन्युप्रहरणा विप्रा न विप्राः शस्त्रयोधिनः ।
निहन्युर्मन्युना विप्रा वज्रपाणिरिवासुरान् ॥ ३.२०३.७८ ॥
The brahmins have anger as their weapon, and they are not warriors who fight with arms; as the thunderbolt-wielder slays the asuras, so the brahmins may slay with anger.
3.203.79
धर्माश्रितेयं तु कथा कथिता हि तवानघ ।
यां श्रुत्वा मुनयः प्रीता नैमिषारण्यवासिनः ॥ ३.२०३.७९ ॥
O sinless one, this tale based on dharma has been told to you, and hearing it, the sages dwelling in the Naimiṣa forest were pleased.
3.203.80
वीतशोकभयक्रोधा विपाप्मानस्तथैव च ।
श्रुत्वेमां तु कथां राजन्भवन्तीह तु मानवाः ॥ ३.२०३.८० ॥
O king, men who hear this tale become free here and now from grief, fear and anger, and free from sin.
3.203.81
किं तच्छौचं भवेद्येन विप्रः शुद्धः सदा भवेत् ।
तदिच्छामि महाप्राज्ञ श्रोतुं धर्मभृतांवर ॥ ३.२०३.८१ ॥
What purity is it by which a brahmin is always pure? O greatly wise one, best of those who bear dharma, I wish to hear it.
3.203.82
वाक्शौचं क्रमशौचं च यच्च शौचं जलात्मकम् ।
त्रिभिः शौचैरुपेतो यः स स्वर्गी नात्र संशयः ॥ ३.२०३.८२ ॥
He who is endowed with the three purities, purity of speech, purity of conduct, and the purity consisting of water, is a dweller of heaven; there is no doubt of this.
3.203.83
सायं प्रातश्च संध्यां यो ब्राह्मणोऽभ्युपसेवते ।
प्रजपन्पावनीं देवीं गायत्रीं वेदमातरम् ॥ ३.२०३.८३ ॥
The brahmin who diligently performs the twilight worship, morning and evening, reciting the purifying goddess Gāyatrī, mother of the Vedas.
3.203.84
स तया पावितो देव्या ब्राह्मणो नष्टकिल्बिषः ।
न सीदेत्प्रतिगृह्णानो महीमपि ससागराम् ॥ ३.२०३.८४ ॥
That brahmin, purified by the goddess, his sins destroyed, would not sink even if he received the whole earth with its oceans.
3.203.85
ये चास् दारुणा केचिद्ग्रहाः सूर्यादयो दिवि ।
ते चास्य सौम्या जायन्ते शिवाः शिवतराः सदा ॥ ३.२०३.८५ ॥
And whatever terrible planets there are in the sky, beginning with the Sun, become gentle and most auspicious for him always.
3.203.86
सर्वेनानुगतं चैनं दारुणाः पिशिताशनाः ।
घोररूपा महाकाया धर्षयन्ति द्विजोत्तमम् ॥ ३.२०३.८६ ॥
Cruel flesh-eaters of terrible form and huge bodies, all following him, assail that best of brahmins.
3.203.87
नाध्यापनाद्याजनाद्वा अन्यायाद्वा प्रतिग्रहात् ।
दोषो भवति विप्राणां ज्वलिताग्निससा द्विजाः ॥ ३.२०३.८७ ॥
No fault comes to brahmins from teaching, from officiating at sacrifices, from unjust means, or from accepting gifts; O twice-born, they are like blazing fires.
3.203.88
दुर्वेदा वा सुवेदा वा प्राकृताः संस्कृतास्तथा ।
ब्राह्मणा नावमन्तव्या भस्मच्छन्ना इवाग्नयः ॥ ३.२०३.८८ ॥
Whether ill-versed or well-versed in the Vedas, whether common or refined, brahmins must not be despised; they are like fires hidden under ash.
3.203.89
यथा श्मशाने दीप्तौजाः पावको नैव दुष्यति ।
एवं विद्वानविद्वान्वा ब्राह्मणो दैवतं महत् ॥ ३.२०३.८९ ॥
Just as a blazing fire in a cremation ground is never defiled, so a brahmin, learned or unlearned, is a great deity.
3.203.90
प्राकरैश्च पुरद्वारैः प्रासादैश्च पृथग्विधैः ।
नगराणि न शोभन्ते हीनानि ब्राह्मणोत्तमैः ॥ ३.२०३.९० ॥
Cities, though they have ramparts, city gates and palaces of many kinds, do not shine when they lack the best of brahmins.
3.203.91
वेदाढ्ञा वृत्संपन्ना ज्ञानवन्तस्तपस्विनः ।
यत्रतिष्न्ति वै विप्रास्तन्नाम नगरं नृप ॥ ३.२०३.९१ ॥
Where brahmins rich in the Vedas, endowed with good conduct, wise and ascetic, dwell, O king, that is the name of that city.
3.203.92
व्रजे वाऽप्यथवाऽरण्ये यत्रसन्ति बहुश्रुताः ।
तत्तन्नगरमित्याहुः पार्थ तीर्थं च तद्भवेत् ॥ ३.२०३.९२ ॥
Whether in a cowpen or in the forest, where the much-learned dwell, that they call a city, O son of Pṛthā, and that becomes a sacred ford.
3.203.93
रक्षितारं च राजानं ब्राह्मणं च तपस्विनम् ।
अभिगम्याभिपूज्याथ सद्यः पापात्प्रमुच्यते ॥ ३.२०३.९३ ॥
Having approached and honored the protecting king and the ascetic brahmin, a man is at once freed from sin.
3.203.94
पुण्यतीर्थाभिषेकं च पवित्राणां च कीर्तनम् ।
सद्भिः संभाषणं चैव प्रशस्तं कीर्त्यते बुधैः ॥ ३.२०३.९४ ॥
Bathing in sacred fords, the praise of the pure, and conversation with the good are declared excellent by the wise.
3.203.95
साधुसङ्गमपूतेन वाक्सुभाषितवारिणा ।
पवित्रीकृतमात्मानं सन्तो मन्न्ति नित्यशः ॥ ३.२०३.९५ ॥
The good always consider the self made pure, purified by the company of the good and by the water of well-spoken words.
3.203.96
त्रिदण्डधारणं मौनं जटाभारोऽथ मुण्डनम् ।
वल्कलाजिनसंवेष्टं व्रतचर्याऽभिषेचनम् ॥ ३.२०३.९६ ॥
Carrying the triple staff, silence, the burden of matted locks, shaving the head, wrapping oneself in bark and skin, the practice of vows, and ritual bathing.
3.203.97
अग्निहोत्रं वने वासः शरीरपरिशोषणम् ।
सर्वाण्येतानि मिथ्या स्युर्यदि भावो न निर्मलः ॥ ३.२०३.९७ ॥
The fire-offering, dwelling in the forest, drying up the body — all these would be in vain if the inner disposition is not pure.
3.203.98
विशुद्धिं चक्षुरादीनां षण्णामिन्द्रियगामिनाम् ।
विकारि तेषां राजेन्द्र सुदुष्करतरं मनः ॥ ३.२०३.९८ ॥
O lord of kings, the purification of the six senses, beginning with the eye, which run toward their objects — and their disturbed mind — is most difficult.
3.203.99
ये पापानि न कुर्वन्ति मनोवाक्कर्मबुद्धिभिः ।
ते तपन्ति महात्मानो न शरीरस्य शोषणम् ॥ ३.२०३.९९ ॥
Those great souls who commit no sin in mind, speech, deed and intellect — they practise austerity, not by drying up the body.
3.203.100
न ज्ञातिभ्यो दया यस्य शुक्लदेहोऽविकल्मषः ।
हिंसा सा तपसस्तस्य नानाशित्वं तपः स्मृतम् ॥ ३.२०३.१०० ॥
For one who has no compassion even toward his kin, though his body is white and stainless, that austerity is violence; abstaining from food in various ways is recalled as austerity.
3.203.101
तिष्ठन्गृहे चैव मुनिर्नित्यं शुचिरलंकृतः ।
यावज्जीवं दयावांश् सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ॥ ३.२०३.१०१ ॥
Even remaining in the house, let the sage always be pure and adorned; one who is compassionate as long as life lasts is freed from all sins.
3.203.102
न हि पापानि कर्माणि शुद्ध्यन्त्यनशनादिभिः ।
सीदत्यनशनादेव मांसशोणितलेपनः ॥ ३.२०३.१०२ ॥
Sinful deeds are not purified by fasting and the like; one smeared with flesh and blood merely wastes away through fasting.
3.203.103
अज्ञातं कर्म कृत्वा च क्लेशो नान्यत्प्रहीयते ।
नाग्निर्दहति कर्माणि भावशून्यस्य देहिनः ॥ ३.२०३.१०३ ॥
Even after performing action unknowingly, suffering is not abandoned by any other means. Fire does not burn the actions of the embodied one who is empty of inner awareness.
3.203.104
पुण्यादेव प्रव्रजन्ति शुध्यन्त्यनशनानि च ।
न मूलफलभक्षित्वान्न मौनान्नानिलाशनात् ॥ ३.२०३.१०४ ॥
Indeed, people go forth into renunciation through merit, and they are purified by fasting; not by eating roots and fruits, not by silence, not by living on air.
3.203.105
शिरसो मुण्डनाद्वाऽपि न स्थानकुटिकासनात् ।
न जटाधारणाद्वाऽपिन तु स्थानकुटिकासनात्। ॥ ३.२०३.१०५ ॥
Not by shaving the head, nor by standing or sitting in a hut; not by wearing matted hair, nor by standing or sitting in a hut.
3.203.106
नित्यं ह्यनशनाद्वाऽपि नाग्निशुश्रूषणादपि ।
न चोदकप्रवेशेन न च क्ष्माशयनादपि ॥ ३.२०३.१०६ ॥
Not constantly by fasting, nor by tending the fire; not by entering water, nor by sleeping on the bare earth.
3.203.107
ज्ञानेन कर्मणा वापि जरामरणमेव च ।
व्याधयश्च प्रहीयन्ते प्राप्यते चोत्तमं पदम् ॥ ३.२०३.१०७ ॥
By knowledge or by action, old age and death are indeed abandoned, and the diseases are left behind; the supreme state is attained.
3.203.108
बीजानि ह्यग्निदग्धानि न रोहन्ति पुनर्यथा ।
ज्ञानदग्धैस्तधा क्लेशैर्नात्मा संडुज्यते पुनः ॥ ३.२०३.१०८ ॥
As seeds burnt by fire do not sprout again, so the self, by afflictions burnt by knowledge, is not joined again.
3.203.109
आत्मना विप्रहीणानि काष्ठकुण्ठोपमानि च ।
विनश्यन्ति न संदेहः फेनानीव महार्णवे ॥ ३.२०३.१०९ ॥
Those cut off from the self are like wood and blunted stumps; without doubt they perish, like foam in the great ocean.
3.203.110
आत्मानं विन्दते येन सर्वभूतगुहाशयम् ।
श्लोकेन यदि वाऽर्धेन क्षीणं तस्य प्रयोजनम् ॥ ३.२०३.११० ॥
By which one finds the self dwelling in the cave of all beings — even by a single verse or half of one — his purpose is fulfilled.
3.203.111
द्व्यक्षरादभिसंधाय केचिच्छ्लोकपदाङ्कितैः ।
शतैरन्यैः सहस्रैश्च प्रत्ययो मोक्षलक्षणम् ॥ ३.२०३.१११ ॥
Taking aim at two syllables, some, through hundreds and thousands of other texts marked by verse-feet — that conviction is the mark of liberation.
3.203.112
नायं लोकोस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः ।
ऊटुर्ज्ञानविदो वृद्धाः प्रत्ययो मोक्षलक्षणम् ॥ ३.२०३.११२ ॥
For one whose mind is full of doubt there is neither this world, nor the next, nor happiness; so the wise elders who know the truth have declared. Conviction is the mark of liberation.
3.203.113
विदितार्थस्तु वेदानां परिवेद प्रयोजनम् ।
उद्विजेत्स तु देवेभ्यो दावाग्नेरिव मानवः ॥ ३.२०३.११३ ॥
The man who has grasped the meaning of the Vedas and fully understood their purpose would shrink back even from the gods, as from a forest fire.
3.203.114
शुष्कं तर्कं परित्यज्यआश्रयस्व श्रुतिं स्मृतिम् ।
एकाराभिसंबद्धं तत्त्वं हेतुभिरिच्छसि।
बुद्धिर्न तस्य सिद्ध्येत साधनस्य विपर्ययात् ॥ ३.२०३.११४ ॥
Abandon dry reasoning and take refuge in śruti and smṛti. You seek by arguments the truth bound to the syllable e; because the means is reversed, understanding cannot bring that to fulfillment.
3.203.115
वेद्यं पूर्वं वेदितव्यं प्रयत्ना-
त्तद्धीर्वेदस्तस्य वेदः शरीरम्।
वेदस्तत्त्वं तत्समासोपलब्धिः ।
क्लीबस्त्वात्मा न स वेद्यं न वेदः ॥ ३.२०३.११५ ॥
That which is to be known first must be known with effort. Its understanding is the Veda, and its Veda is the body. The Veda is the truth, its brief attainment. But the self is neuter; it is neither to be known nor is it the Veda.
3.203.116
वेदोक्तमायुर्देवानामाशिषश्चैव कर्मणाम् ।
फलत्यनुयुगं लोके प्रभावश्च शरीरिणाम् ॥ ३.२०३.११६ ॥
The life-spans of the gods and the blessings of rites, as stated in the Veda, and the fruits of actions bear fruit in the world in every age, and so too the power of embodied beings.
3.203.117
इन्द्रियाणां प्रसादेन तदेतत्परिवर्जयेत् ।
तस्मादनशनं दिव्यं निरुद्धेन्द्रियगोचरम् ॥ ३.२०३.११७ ॥
By the serenity of the senses one should abandon all this; therefore fasting, divine, with the objects of the senses restrained, is the best.
3.203.118
तपसा स्वर्गगमनं भोगो दानेन जायते ।
ज्ञानेन मोक्षो विज्ञेयस्तीर्थस्नानादघक्षयः ॥ ३.२०३.११८ ॥
By austerity one goes to heaven; by gift, enjoyment is obtained. Liberation is to be known through knowledge; by bathing at holy places, sin is destroyed.
3.203.119
एवमुक्तस्तु राजेन्द्र प्रत्युवाच महायशाः ।
भगवञ्श्रोतुमिच्छामि प्रदानविधिमुत्तमम् ॥ ३.२०३.११९ ॥
Thus addressed, O lord of kings, the one of great fame replied: O blessed one, I wish to hear the supreme rule of giving.
3.203.120
यत्तत्पृच्छसि राजेन्द्रदानधर्मं युधिष्ठिर ।
इष्टं चेदं सदा मह्यं राजन्गौरवतस्तथा ॥ ३.२०३.१२० ॥
That which you ask about, O lord of kings Yudhiṣṭhira, the dharma of giving, has always been dear to me, and so, O king, out of honour, it is.
3.203.121
शृणु दानरहस्यानि श्रुतिस्मृत्युदितानि च ।
छायायां करिणः श्राद्धं तत्कर्म परिवीजितम्।
दशकल्पायुतानीह न क्षीयेत युधिष्ठिर ॥ ३.२०३.१२१ ॥
Listen, Yudhiṣṭhira, to the secrets of giving taught in the Śruti and Smṛti. A śrāddha performed in the shade of an elephant, and that rite performed with a fan of breezes, does not diminish here for ten thousand kalpas.
3.203.122
जीवनाय समाक्लिन्नं वसु दत्त्वा महीपते ।
विप्रं तु वासयेद्यस्तु सर्वयज्ञैः स इष्टवान् ॥ ३.२०३.१२२ ॥
Lord of the earth, he who gives abundant wealth for livelihood and settles a brahmin has, indeed, performed all sacrifices.
3.203.123
प्रतिस्रोतश्चित्रवाहाः पर्जन्योऽन्नानुसंचरन् ।
महाधुरि यथा नावा महापापैः प्रमुच्यते।
विषुवे विप्रदत्तानि दधिमध्वक्षयाणि च ॥ ३.२०३.१२३ ॥
As the bright-flowing boat moving against the current carries one through great peril, so the rain-cloud moving along with food frees one from great sins. Curd and honey given to brahmins at the equinox never diminish.
3.203.124
पर्वसु द्विगुणं दानमृतौ दशगुणं भवेत् ।
अब्दे दशगुणं प्रोक्तमनन्तं विषुवे भवेत् ॥ ३.२०३.१२४ ॥
A gift on the lunar junctures is doubled; in a season it becomes tenfold. In a year it is declared tenfold; at the equinox it becomes endless.
3.203.125
अयने विषुवे चैवषडशीतिमुखेषु च ।
चन्द्रसूर्योपरागे च दत्तमक्षयमुच्यते ॥ ३.२०३.१२५ ॥
A gift given at the solstice, at the equinox, at the eighty-sixth junctures, and at an eclipse of the moon or sun is said to be imperishable.
3.203.126
ऋतुषु दशगुणं वदन्ति दत्तं ।
शतगुणमृत्वयनादिषु ध्रुवम्।
भवति सहस्रगुणं दिनस्य राहो-
र्विषुवति चाक्षयमश्नुते फलम् ॥ ३.२०३.१२६ ॥
They say a gift given in the seasons is tenfold; at the seasons, the solstices and the like it certainly becomes a hundredfold. At the eclipse of Rāhu by day, and at the equinox, a gift becomes a thousandfold and obtains imperishable fruit.
3.203.127
नाभूमिदो भूमिमश्नाति राज-
न्नायानदो यानमारुह्य याति।
यान्यान्कामान्ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददाति ।
तांस्तान्कामाञ्जायमानः स भुङ्क्ते ॥ ३.२०३.१२७ ॥
He who gives no land obtains no land, O king; he who gives no vehicle does not travel by mounting a vehicle. Whatever desires he gives to brahmins, those same desires he enjoys when he is born.
3.203.128
अग्नेरपत्यं प्रथमं सुवर्णं ।
भूर्वैष्णवी सूर्यसुताश्च गावः।
लोकाश्त्रयस्तेन भवन्ति दत्ता ।
यः काञ्चनं गाश्च महीं च दद्यात् ॥ ३.२०३.१२८ ॥
Gold is the first offspring of Agni; the earth belongs to Viṣṇu; cows are the children of the Sun. He who gives gold, cows and the earth — by that gift the three worlds are given.
3.203.129
परंहि दानान्न बभूव शाश्वतं ।
भव्यं त्रिलोके भवते कुतः पुनः।
तस्मात्प्रधानं परमं हि दानं ।
वदन्ति लोकेषु विशिष्टबुद्धयः ॥ ३.२०३.१२९ ॥
Nothing eternal has ever come into being beyond gift; how then could anything fitting arise in the three worlds? Therefore the men of superior intellect declare that gift is the chief and supreme thing among the worlds.