The Greatness of Giving

Verse 1 (skanda.1.37.1)

॥सूत उवाच॥ ततो द्विजौः परिवृतं नारदं देवपूजितम्॥ अभिगम्योपजग्राह सर्वानथ स पाण्डवः

sūta uvāca tato dvijauḥ parivṛtaṁ nāradaṁ devapūjitam abhigamyopajagrāha sarvānatha sa pāṇḍavaḥ

Suta said: "Then that Pandava approached Narada, who was surrounded by Brahmins and honored by the gods, and warmly embraced them all."

Verse 2 (skanda.1.37.2)

ततस्तं नारदः प्राह जयारातिधनंजय॥ धर्मे भवति ते बुद्धिर्देवेषु ब्राह्मणेषु च

tatastaṁ nāradaḥ prāha jayārātidhanaṁjaya dharme bhavati te buddhirdeveṣu brāhmaṇeṣu ca

Then Narada said to him: "Victory to you, foe of your enemies, Dhananjaya! Is your mind fixed on dharma, on the gods and on Brahmins?"

Verse 3 (skanda.1.37.3)

कच्चिदेतां महायात्रां वीर द्वादशवारषिकीम्॥ आचरन्खिद्यसे नैवमथ वा कुप्यसे न च

kaccidetāṁ mahāyātrāṁ vīra dvādaśavāraṣikīm ācarankhidyase naivamatha vā kupyase na ca

"Undertaking this great twelve-year pilgrimage, O hero, do you not grow weary, or do you feel any anger?"

Verse 4 (skanda.1.37.4)

मुनीनामपि चेतांसि तीर्थयात्रासु पांडव॥ खिद्यंति परिकृप्यंति श्रेयसां विघ्नमूलतः

munīnāmapi cetāṁsi tīrthayātrāsu pāṁḍava khidyaṁti parikṛpyaṁti śreyasāṁ vighnamūlataḥ

"Even the minds of sages, O Pandava, grow weary and troubled on pilgrimages, from the very source that obstructs their welfare."

Verse 5 (skanda.1.37.5)

कच्चिन्नैतेन दोषेण समाश्लिष्टोऽसि पांडव॥ अत्र चांगिरसा गीतां गाथामेतां हि शुश्रुम

kaccinnaitena doṣeṇa samāśliṣṭo'si pāṁḍava atra cāṁgirasā gītāṁ gāthāmetāṁ hi śuśruma

"Are you not, then, touched by this fault, O Pandava? Here we have heard this very song, sung by Angiras."

Verse 6 (skanda.1.37.6)

यस्य हस्तौ च पादौ च मनश्चैव सुसंयतम्॥ निर्विकाराः क्रियाः सर्वाः स तीर्थफलमश्नुते

yasya hastau ca pādau ca manaścaiva susaṁyatam nirvikārāḥ kriyāḥ sarvāḥ sa tīrthaphalamaśnute

"He whose hands, feet, and mind are well restrained, whose every act is free of disturbance — he alone obtains the fruit of pilgrimage."

Verse 7 (skanda.1.37.7)

तदिदं हृदि धार्यं ते किं वा त्वं तात मन्यसे॥ भ्राता युधिष्ठिरो यस्य सखा यस्य स केशवः

tadidaṁ hṛdi dhāryaṁ te kiṁ vā tvaṁ tāta manyase bhrātā yudhiṣṭhiro yasya sakhā yasya sa keśavaḥ

"Hold this in your heart — or what, dear one, do you yourself think? He whose brother is Yudhishthira, whose friend is Keshava himself...

Verse 8 (skanda.1.37.8)

पुनरेतत्समुचितं यद्विप्रैः शिक्षणं नृणाम्॥ वयं हि धर्मगुरवः स्थापितास्तेन विष्णुना

punaretatsamucitaṁ yadvipraiḥ śikṣaṇaṁ nṛṇām vayaṁ hi dharmaguravaḥ sthāpitāstena viṣṇunā

"...this too is fitting: that men be taught by the learned, for we ourselves were established as teachers of dharma by that very Vishnu.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.37.9)

विष्णुना चात्र श्रृणुमो गीतां गाथां द्विजान्प्रति

viṣṇunā cātra śrṛṇumo gītāṁ gāthāṁ dvijānprati

"And here, from Vishnu himself, we have heard a song once sung to the twice-born.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.37.10)

यस्यामलामृतयशःश्रवणावगाहः सद्यः पुनाति जगदा श्वपचाद्विकुंठः॥ सोहं भवद्भिरुपलब्ध सुतीर्थकीर्तिश्छद्यां स्वबाहुमपि यः प्रतिकूलवर्ती

yasyāmalāmṛtayaśaḥśravaṇāvagāhaḥ sadyaḥ punāti jagadā śvapacādvikuṁṭhaḥ sohaṁ bhavadbhirupalabdha sutīrthakīrtiśchadyāṁ svabāhumapi yaḥ pratikūlavartī

"He whose spotless, nectar-like fame, the instant it is heard and bathed in, purifies the world at once — even an outcaste — from him you have received the fame of this excellent tirtha.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.37.11)

प्रियं च पार्थ ते ब्रूमो येषां कुशलकामुकः॥ सर्वे कुशलिनस्ते च यादवाः पांडवास्तथा

priyaṁ ca pārtha te brūmo yeṣāṁ kuśalakāmukaḥ sarve kuśalinaste ca yādavāḥ pāṁḍavāstathā

"A pleasant word we tell you, O Partha: those for whose welfare you long, the Yadavas and the Pandavas alike, are all well.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.37.12)

अधुना भीमसेनेन कुरूणामुपतापकः॥ शासनाद्धृतराष्ट्रस्य वीरवर्मा नृपो हतः

adhunā bhīmasenena kurūṇāmupatāpakaḥ śāsanāddhṛtarāṣṭrasya vīravarmā nṛpo hataḥ

"Just now, by Bhimasena, at Dhritarashtra's command, King Virvarma, who tormented the Kurus, has been slain.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.37.13)

स हि राज्ञामजेयोऽभूद्यथापूर्वं बलिर्बली॥ कंटकं कंटकेनेव धृतराष्ट्रो जिगाय तम्

sa hi rājñāmajeyo'bhūdyathāpūrvaṁ balirbalī kaṁṭakaṁ kaṁṭakeneva dhṛtarāṣṭro jigāya tam

"He had been unconquerable among kings before, mighty as Bali of old; thorn against thorn, thus did Dhritarashtra overcome him."

Verse 14 (skanda.1.37.14)

इत्यादिनारदप्रोक्तां वाचमाकर्ण्य फाल्गुनः॥ अतीव मुदितः प्राह तेषामकुशलं कुतः

ityādināradaproktāṁ vācamākarṇya phālgunaḥ atīva muditaḥ prāha teṣāmakuśalaṁ kutaḥ

Hearing these and other words spoken by Narada, Phalguna, greatly delighted, asked: "From where indeed could any misfortune touch them?"

Verse 15 (skanda.1.37.15)

ये ब्राह्मणमते नित्यं ये च ब्राह्मणपूजकाः॥ अहं च शक्त्या नियतस्तीर्थानि विचरन्ननु

ye brāhmaṇamate nityaṁ ye ca brāhmaṇapūjakāḥ ahaṁ ca śaktyā niyatastīrthāni vicarannanu

"Those who ever follow the counsel of Brahmins, and those who honor Brahmins — I too, disciplined as far as my strength allows, now wander among the tirthas.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.37.16)

आगतस्तीर्थमेतद्धि प्रमोदोऽतीव मे हृदि॥ तीर्थानां दर्शनं धन्यमवगाहस्ततोऽधिकः

āgatastīrthametaddhi pramodo'tīva me hṛdi tīrthānāṁ darśanaṁ dhanyamavagāhastato'dhikaḥ

"Having come to this tirtha, great is the joy in my heart; blessed indeed is the sight of tirthas, and bathing in them more blessed still.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.37.17)

माहात्म्यश्रवणं तस्मादौर्वोपि मुनिरब्रवीत्॥ तदहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तीर्थस्यास्य गुणान्मुने

māhātmyaśravaṇaṁ tasmādaurvopi munirabravīt tadahaṁ śrotumicchāmi tīrthasyāsya guṇānmune

"And greater still is hearing of their glory — so the sage Aurva too once said. Therefore, O sage, I wish to hear the virtues of this tirtha.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.37.18)

एतेनैव श्राव्यमेतद्यत्त्वयांगीकृतं मुने॥ त्वं हि त्रिलोकीं विचरन्वेत्सि सर्वां हि सारताम्

etenaiva śrāvyametadyattvayāṁgīkṛtaṁ mune tvaṁ hi trilokīṁ vicaranvetsi sarvāṁ hi sāratām

"This alone is worth hearing, which you yourself have affirmed, O sage; for wandering through the three worlds, you know the very essence of all things.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.37.19)

तदेतत्सर्वतीर्थेभ्योऽधिकं मन्ये त्वदा हृतम्

tadetatsarvatīrthebhyo'dhikaṁ manye tvadā hṛtam

"Therefore I hold what you have declared to be greater than the fame of all other tirthas."

Verse 20 (skanda.1.37.20)

॥नारद उवाच॥ उचितं तव पार्थैतद्यत्पृच्छसि गुणिन्गुणान्॥ गुणिनामेव युज्यन्ते श्रोतुं धर्मोद्भवा गुणाः॥ साधूनां धर्मश्रवणैः कीर्तनैर्याति चान्वहम्

nārada uvāca ucitaṁ tava pārthaitadyatpṛcchasi guṇinguṇān guṇināmeva yujyante śrotuṁ dharmodbhavā guṇāḥ sādhūnāṁ dharmaśravaṇaiḥ kīrtanairyāti cānvaham

Narada said: "It is indeed fitting of you, O Partha, that being virtuous yourself, you ask about the virtues of the virtuous; for virtues born of dharma deserve to be heard only by the virtuous. Through the hearing and praising of the good's dharma, that virtue grows day by day.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.37.21)

पापानामसदालापैरायुर्याति यथान्वहम्॥ तदहं कीर्तयिष्यामि तीर्थस्यास्य गुणान्बहून्

pāpānāmasadālāpairāyuryāti yathānvaham tadahaṁ kīrtayiṣyāmi tīrthasyāsya guṇānbahūn

"While through the wicked talk of sinners, one's life itself wastes away day by day. Therefore I shall now proclaim the many virtues of this tirtha,

Verse 22 (skanda.1.37.22)

यथा श्रुत्वा विजानासि युक्तमंगीकृतं मया॥ पुराहं विचरन्पार्थ त्रिलोकीं कपिलानुगः

yathā śrutvā vijānāsi yuktamaṁgīkṛtaṁ mayā purāhaṁ vicaranpārtha trilokīṁ kapilānugaḥ

"so that, having heard it, you may know that what I have affirmed is indeed fitting. Long ago, O Partha, wandering the three worlds in the company of Kapila...

Verse 23 (skanda.1.37.23)

गतवान्ब्रह्मणो लोकं तत्रापश्यं पितामहम्॥ स हि राजर्षिदेवर्षिमूर्तामूर्तैः सुसंवृतः

gatavānbrahmaṇo lokaṁ tatrāpaśyaṁ pitāmaham sa hi rājarṣidevarṣimūrtāmūrtaiḥ susaṁvṛtaḥ

"...I went to the world of Brahma, and there I beheld the Grandsire, well surrounded by royal sages, celestial sages, and beings both embodied and unembodied.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.37.24)

विभाति विमलो ब्रह्मा नक्षत्रैरुडुराडिव॥ तमहं प्रणिपत्याथ चक्षुषा कृतस्वागतः

vibhāti vimalo brahmā nakṣatrairuḍurāḍiva tamahaṁ praṇipatyātha cakṣuṣā kṛtasvāgataḥ

"That stainless Brahma shone there like the moon among the stars. I bowed before him, and he welcomed me with his very gaze.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.37.25)

उविष्टः प्रमुदितः कपिलेन सहैव च॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र वार्तिकाः समुपागताः

uviṣṭaḥ pramuditaḥ kapilena sahaiva ca etasminnaṁtare tatra vārtikāḥ samupāgatāḥ

"I sat there, greatly delighted, together with Kapila. Meanwhile, the wandering messengers of Brahma also arrived there,

Verse 26 (skanda.1.37.26)

प्रहीयंते हि ते नित्यं जगद्द्रष्टुं हि ब्रह्मणा॥ कृतप्रणामानथ तान्समासीनान्पितामहः

prahīyaṁte hi te nityaṁ jagaddraṣṭuṁ hi brahmaṇā kṛtapraṇāmānatha tānsamāsīnānpitāmahaḥ

"for they are ever sent forth by Brahma to observe the world. To them, seated after their salutations, the Grandsire...

Verse 27 (skanda.1.37.27)

चक्षुषामृतकल्पेन प्लावयन्निव चाब्रवीत्॥ कुत्र कुत्र विचीर्णं वो दृष्टं श्रुतमथापि वा

cakṣuṣāmṛtakalpena plāvayanniva cābravīt kutra kutra vicīrṇaṁ vo dṛṣṭaṁ śrutamathāpi vā

"...spoke, as if bathing them with his nectar-like gaze: 'Where indeed have you wandered, and what have you seen or heard?'

Verse 28 (skanda.1.37.28)

किंचिदेवाद्भुतं ब्रूत श्रवणाद्येन पुण्यता॥ एवमुक्ते भगवता तेषां यः प्रवरो मतः

kiṁcidevādbhutaṁ brūta śravaṇādyena puṇyatā evamukte bhagavatā teṣāṁ yaḥ pravaro mataḥ

"'Tell me something wondrous, by the hearing of which merit is gained.' Thus addressed by the Lord, the one held foremost among them...

Verse 29 (skanda.1.37.29)

सुश्रवानाम ब्रह्माणं प्रणिपत्येदमूचिवान्॥ प्रभोरग्रे च विज्ञप्तिर्यथा दीपो रवेस्तथा

suśravānāma brahmāṇaṁ praṇipatyedamūcivān prabhoragre ca vijñaptiryathā dīpo ravestathā

"...named Sushravas, bowed to Brahma and spoke thus: 'Before the Lord, whatever I submit is like a lamp set before the sun.'

Verse 30 (skanda.1.37.30)

तथापि खलु वाच्यं मे परार्थं प्रेरितेन ते॥ मुनिः कात्यायनोनाम श्रुत्वा धर्मान्पुनर्बहून्

tathāpi khalu vācyaṁ me parārthaṁ preritena te muniḥ kātyāyanonāma śrutvā dharmānpunarbahūn

"'Yet still, being urged by you for another's good, I must indeed speak. A sage named Katyayana, having heard many teachings of dharma...'

Verse 31 (skanda.1.37.31)

सारजिज्ञासया तस्थावेकांगुष्ठः शतं समाः॥ ततः प्रोवाच तं दिव्या वाणी कात्यायन श्रृणु

sārajijñāsayā tasthāvekāṁguṣṭhaḥ śataṁ samāḥ tataḥ provāca taṁ divyā vāṇī kātyāyana śrṛṇu

"'...yet still desiring to know their essence, stood on a single toe for a hundred years. Then a divine voice spoke to him: "Katyayana, listen —"'

Verse 32 (skanda.1.37.32)

पुण्ये सरस्वतीतीरे पृच्छ सारस्वतं मुनिम्॥ स ते सारं धर्मसाध्यं धर्मज्ञोऽभिवदिष्यति

puṇye sarasvatītīre pṛccha sārasvataṁ munim sa te sāraṁ dharmasādhyaṁ dharmajño'bhivadiṣyati

"'"On the sacred bank of the Sarasvati, ask the sage Sarasvata; he, the knower of dharma, shall tell you the essence that dharma alone can win."'"

Verse 33 (skanda.1.37.33)

इति श्रुत्वा मुनिवरो मुनिश्रेष्ठमुपेत्य तम्॥ प्रणम्य शिरसा भूमौ पप्रच्छेदं हृदि स्थितम्

iti śrutvā munivaro muniśreṣṭhamupetya tam praṇamya śirasā bhūmau papracchedaṁ hṛdi sthitam

"Hearing this, that great sage approached the foremost of sages, bowed his head to the ground, and asked what lay in his heart —

Verse 34 (skanda.1.37.34)

सत्यं केचित्प्रशंसंतितपः शौचं तथा परे॥ सांख्यं केचित्प्रशंसंति योगमन्ये प्रचक्षते

satyaṁ kecitpraśaṁsaṁtitapaḥ śaucaṁ tathā pare sāṁkhyaṁ kecitpraśaṁsaṁti yogamanye pracakṣate

"'Some praise truth, others austerity and purity; some praise Sankhya, while others speak of yoga.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.37.35)

क्षमां केचित्प्रशंसंति तथैव भृशमार्ज्जवम्॥ केचिन्मौनं प्रशंसंति केचिदाहुः परं श्रुतम्

kṣamāṁ kecitpraśaṁsaṁti tathaiva bhṛśamārjjavam kecinmaunaṁ praśaṁsaṁti kecidāhuḥ paraṁ śrutam

"'Some praise forbearance, and likewise deep uprightness; some praise silence, others say scripture alone is supreme.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.37.36)

सम्यग्ज्ञानं प्रशंसंति केचिद्वैराग्यमुत्तमम्॥ अग्निष्टोमादिकर्माणि तथा केचित्परं विदुः

samyagjñānaṁ praśaṁsaṁti kecidvairāgyamuttamam agniṣṭomādikarmāṇi tathā kecitparaṁ viduḥ

"'Some praise right knowledge, some the highest renunciation; and some hold rites such as Agnishtoma to be supreme.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.37.37)

आत्मज्ञानं परं केचित्समलोष्टाश्मकांचनम्॥ इत्थं व्यवस्थिते लोके कृत्याकृत्यविधौ जनाः

ātmajñānaṁ paraṁ kecitsamaloṣṭāśmakāṁcanam itthaṁ vyavasthite loke kṛtyākṛtyavidhau janāḥ

"'Some hold self-knowledge supreme — for whom a clod of earth, a stone, and gold are all the same. The world thus divided over what should and should not be done, people...

Verse 38 (skanda.1.37.38)

व्यामोहमेव गच्छंति किं श्रेय इति वादिनः॥ यदेतेषु परं कृत्यम् नुष्ठेयं महात्मभिः

vyāmohameva gacchaṁti kiṁ śreya iti vādinaḥ yadeteṣu paraṁ kṛtyam nuṣṭheyaṁ mahātmabhiḥ

"'...fall only into confusion, disputing what indeed is best. Tell me, O knower of dharma, what among these is the supreme duty that the great-souled should undertake,

Verse 39 (skanda.1.37.39)

वक्तुमर्हसि धर्मज्ञ मम सर्वार्थसाधकम्

vaktumarhasi dharmajña mama sarvārthasādhakam

"'...one that accomplishes every purpose of mine — you alone are worthy to tell me this.'

Verse 40 (skanda.1.37.40)

॥सारस्वत उवाच॥ यन्मां सरस्वती प्राह सारं वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु॥ छायाकारं जगत्सर्वमुत्पत्तिक्षयधर्मि च॥ वारांगनानेत्रभंगस्वद्वद्भंगुरमेव तत्

sārasvata uvāca yanmāṁ sarasvatī prāha sāraṁ vakṣyāmi tacchṛṇu chāyākāraṁ jagatsarvamutpattikṣayadharmi ca vārāṁganānetrabhaṁgasvadvadbhaṁgurameva tat

Sarasvata said: "Listen to the essence that Sarasvati herself once declared to me. This entire world, like a shadow, is bound by the nature of arising and decay — fleeting as the flickering glance of a courtesan's eye.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.37.41)

धनायुर्यौवनं भोगाञ्जलचंद्रवदस्थिरान्॥ बुद्ध्या सम्यक्परामृश्य स्थाणुदानं समाश्रयेत्

dhanāyuryauvanaṁ bhogāñjalacaṁdravadasthirān buddhyā samyakparāmṛśya sthāṇudānaṁ samāśrayet

"Wealth, life, youth, and pleasures — as unstable as the moon's reflection in water — having weighed this well with the intellect, one should take refuge in giving to Sthanu, Shiva.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.37.42)

दानवान्पुरुषः पापं नालं कर्तुमिति श्रुतिः॥ स्थाणुभक्तो जन्ममृत्यू नाप्नोतीति श्रुति स्तथा

dānavānpuruṣaḥ pāpaṁ nālaṁ kartumiti śrutiḥ sthāṇubhakto janmamṛtyū nāpnotīti śruti stathā

"Scripture says a man given to giving is not capable of sin; and scripture likewise says one devoted to Sthanu does not fall again into birth and death.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.37.43)

सावर्णिना च गाथे द्वे कीर्तिते श्रृणु ये पुरा॥ वृषो हि भगवान्धर्मो वृषभो यस्य वाहनम्

sāvarṇinā ca gāthe dve kīrtite śrṛṇu ye purā vṛṣo hi bhagavāndharmo vṛṣabho yasya vāhanam

"And hear two ancient verses proclaimed by Savarni: the bull is the very form of the blessed Dharma, and the bull is also his vehicle.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.37.44)

पूज्यते स महादेवः स धर्मः पर उच्यते॥ दुःखावर्ते तमोघोरे धर्माधर्मजले तथा

pūjyate sa mahādevaḥ sa dharmaḥ para ucyate duḥkhāvarte tamoghore dharmādharmajale tathā

"He is worshipped as Mahadeva, and he alone is called the supreme dharma. In the dreadful whirlpool of sorrow, in the dark water of dharma and adharma,

Verse 45 (skanda.1.37.45)

क्रोधपंके मदग्राहे लोभबुद्बदसंकटे॥ मानगंभीरपाताले सत्त्वयानविभूषिते

krodhapaṁke madagrāhe lobhabudbadasaṁkaṭe mānagaṁbhīrapātāle sattvayānavibhūṣite

"in the mire of anger, the crocodile of pride, the peril of greed's whirling bubbles, the fathomless deep of arrogance, adorned still with the boat of goodness —

Verse 46 (skanda.1.37.46)

मज्जंतं तारयत्येको हरः संसारसागरात्॥ दानं वृत्तं व्रतं वाचः कीर्तिधर्मौ तथायुषः

majjaṁtaṁ tārayatyeko haraḥ saṁsārasāgarāt dānaṁ vṛttaṁ vrataṁ vācaḥ kīrtidharmau tathāyuṣaḥ

"Hara alone rescues one who is drowning from this ocean of samsara — through giving, conduct, vows, speech, fame, dharma, and life itself,

Verse 47 (skanda.1.37.47)

परोपकरणं कायादसारात्सारमुद्धरेत्॥ धर्मे रागः श्रुतौ चिंता दाने व्यसनमुत्तमम्

paropakaraṇaṁ kāyādasārātsāramuddharet dharme rāgaḥ śrutau ciṁtā dāne vyasanamuttamam

"and through service to others — one should draw the substance out of this insubstantial body. Love for dharma, reflection upon scripture, the excellent addiction to giving,

Verse 48 (skanda.1.37.48)

इंद्रियार्थेषु वैराग्यं संप्राप्तं जन्मनः फलम्॥ देशेऽस्मिन्भारते जन्म प्राप्य मानुष्यमध्रुवम्

iṁdriyārtheṣu vairāgyaṁ saṁprāptaṁ janmanaḥ phalam deśe'sminbhārate janma prāpya mānuṣyamadhruvam

"and dispassion toward the objects of the senses — these are the true fruits gained from birth. Having obtained this fleeting human birth in the land of Bharata,

Verse 49 (skanda.1.37.49)

न कुर्यादात्मनः श्रेयस्तेनात्मा वंचतश्चिरम्॥ देवासुराणां सर्वेषां मानुष्यमतिदुर्लभम्

na kuryādātmanaḥ śreyastenātmā vaṁcataściram devāsurāṇāṁ sarveṣāṁ mānuṣyamatidurlabham

"one who does not act for his own good only deceives himself for long ages. Among all gods and demons alike, human birth is exceedingly rare;

Verse 50 (skanda.1.37.50)

तत्संप्राप्य तथा कुर्यान्न गच्छेन्नरकं यथा॥ सर्वस्य मूलं मानुष्यं तथा सर्वार्थसाधकम्

tatsaṁprāpya tathā kuryānna gacchennarakaṁ yathā sarvasya mūlaṁ mānuṣyaṁ tathā sarvārthasādhakam

"having gained it, one should act so as never to fall into hell. Humanity itself is the root of everything, and it alone accomplishes every purpose.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.37.51)

यदि लाभे न यत्नस्ते मूलं रक्ष प्रयत्नतः॥ महता पुण्यमूल्येन क्रीयते कायनौस्त्वया

yadi lābhe na yatnaste mūlaṁ rakṣa prayatnataḥ mahatā puṇyamūlyena krīyate kāyanaustvayā

"Even if you make no further effort to gain more, guard at least this root with diligence; for this body, a boat, has been bought at the great price of merit.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.37.52)

गंतुं दुःखोदधेः पारं तर यावन्न भिद्यते॥ अविकारिशरीरत्वं दुष्प्राप्यं वै ततः

gaṁtuṁ duḥkhodadheḥ pāraṁ tara yāvanna bhidyate avikāriśarīratvaṁ duṣprāpyaṁ vai tataḥ

"Cross to the far shore of the ocean of sorrow while this boat is not yet broken; a body free from decay is exceedingly hard to attain thereafter.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.37.53)

नापक्रामति संसारादात्महा स नराधमः॥ तपस्तप्यन्ति यतयो जुह्वते चात्र यज्विनः॥ दानानि चात्र दीयंते परलोकार्थमादरात्

nāpakrāmati saṁsārādātmahā sa narādhamaḥ tapastapyanti yatayo juhvate cātra yajvinaḥ dānāni cātra dīyaṁte paralokārthamādarāt

"That basest of men who never departs from samsara is a slayer of his own self. Here ascetics practice austerity, sacrificers offer oblations, and here, with reverence, gifts are given for the sake of the world beyond.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.37.54)

॥कात्यायन उवाच॥ दानस्य तपसो वापि भगवन्किं च दुष्करम्॥ किं वा महत्फलं प्रेत्य सारस्वत ब्रवीहि तत्

kātyāyana uvāca dānasya tapaso vāpi bhagavankiṁ ca duṣkaram kiṁ vā mahatphalaṁ pretya sārasvata bravīhi tat

Katyayana said: "O blessed one, which is harder to accomplish, giving or austerity? And which bears the greater fruit after death? Tell me this, O Sarasvata."

Verse 55 (skanda.1.37.55)

॥सारस्वत उवाच॥ न दानाद्दुष्करतरं पृथिव्यामस्ति किंचन॥ मुने प्रत्यक्षमेवैतद्दृश्यते लोकसाक्षिकम्

sārasvata uvāca na dānādduṣkarataraṁ pṛthivyāmasti kiṁcana mune pratyakṣamevaitaddṛśyate lokasākṣikam

Sarasvata said: "There is nothing on this earth harder than giving, O sage — this is seen directly, and the whole world bears witness to it.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.37.56)

परित्यज्य प्रियान्प्राणान्धनार्थे हि महाभयम्॥ प्रविशंति महालोभात्समुद्रमटवीं गिरिम्

parityajya priyānprāṇāndhanārthe hi mahābhayam praviśaṁti mahālobhātsamudramaṭavīṁ girim

"Abandoning their own dear lives, in great peril, driven by great greed for the sake of wealth, men venture into the ocean, the forest, and the mountain;

Verse 57 (skanda.1.37.57)

सेवामन्ये प्रपद्यंते श्ववृत्तिरिति या स्मृता॥ हिंसाप्रायां बहुक्लेशां कृषिं चैव तथा परे

sevāmanye prapadyaṁte śvavṛttiriti yā smṛtā hiṁsāprāyāṁ bahukleśāṁ kṛṣiṁ caiva tathā pare

"others take up service, which is remembered as the way of a dog; and still others take up farming, full of violence and great hardship.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.37.58)

तस्य दुःखार्जितस्येह प्राणेभ्योपि गरीयसः॥ आयासशतलब्धस्य परित्यागः सुदुष्करः

tasya duḥkhārjitasyeha prāṇebhyopi garīyasaḥ āyāsaśatalabdhasya parityāgaḥ suduṣkaraḥ

"To give away wealth earned here through sorrow, dearer than life itself, gained through a hundred hardships, is indeed the hardest thing of all.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.37.59)

यद्ददाति यदश्नाति तदेव धनिनो धनम्॥ अन्ये मृतस्य क्रीडंति दारैरपि धनैरपि

yaddadāti yadaśnāti tadeva dhanino dhanam anye mṛtasya krīḍaṁti dārairapi dhanairapi

"Only what a wealthy man gives away, and what he himself enjoys, is truly his wealth; when he dies, others make free with both his wives and his riches.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.37.60)

अहन्यहनि याचंतमहं मन्ये गुरुं यथा॥ मार्जनं दर्पणस्येव यः करोति दिनेदिने

ahanyahani yācaṁtamahaṁ manye guruṁ yathā mārjanaṁ darpaṇasyeva yaḥ karoti dinedine

"He who begs day after day I count as a teacher indeed; for reminding one to give, day after day, is like the daily polishing of a mirror.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.37.61)

दीयमानं हि नापैति भूय एवाभिवर्धते॥ कूप उत्सिच्यमानो हि भवेच्छुद्धो बहूदकः

dīyamānaṁ hi nāpaiti bhūya evābhivardhate kūpa utsicyamāno hi bhavecchuddho bahūdakaḥ

"What is given does not diminish — it only grows further; a well that is drawn from becomes purer and fuller of water.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.37.62)

एकजन्मसुखस्यार्थे सहस्राणि विलापयेत्॥ प्राज्ञो जन्मसहस्रेषु संचिनोत्येकजन्मनि

ekajanmasukhasyārthe sahasrāṇi vilāpayet prājño janmasahasreṣu saṁcinotyekajanmani

"For the happiness of a single lifetime one may squander a thousand lifetimes; but the wise man gathers, within a single birth, merit for a thousand births to come.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.37.63)

मूर्खो हि न ददात्यर्थानिह दारिद्र्यशंकया॥ प्राज्ञस्तु विसृजत्यर्थानमुत्र तस्य शंकया

mūrkho hi na dadātyarthāniha dāridryaśaṁkayā prājñastu visṛjatyarthānamutra tasya śaṁkayā

"The fool withholds his wealth here out of fear of poverty; but the wise man gives his wealth away for fear of poverty in the world beyond.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.37.64)

किं धनेन करिष्यंति देहिनो भंगुराश्रयाः॥ यदर्थं धनमिच्छंति तच्छरीरमशाश्वतम्

kiṁ dhanena kariṣyaṁti dehino bhaṁgurāśrayāḥ yadarthaṁ dhanamicchaṁti taccharīramaśāśvatam

"What will embodied beings, whose very refuge is fragile, do with wealth? The very body for whose sake wealth is desired is itself impermanent.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.37.65)

अक्षरद्वयमभ्यस्तं नास्तिनास्तीति यत्पुरा॥ तदिदं देहिदेहिति विपरीतमुपस्थितम्

akṣaradvayamabhyastaṁ nāstināstīti yatpurā tadidaṁ dehidehiti viparītamupasthitam

"The two syllables so long rehearsed before — 'nāsti, nāsti,' 'there is none, there is none' — now stand reversed as 'dehi, dehi,' 'give, give.'

Verse 66 (skanda.1.37.66)

बोधयंति च यावंतो देहीति कृपणं जनाः॥ अवस्थेयमदानस्य मा भूदेवं भवानपि

bodhayaṁti ca yāvaṁto dehīti kṛpaṇaṁ janāḥ avastheyamadānasya mā bhūdevaṁ bhavānapi

"As many wretched souls as awaken others with the cry 'give me' — may such a fate of never having given not befall you as well.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.37.67)

दातुरेवोपकाराय वदत्यर्थीति देहि मे॥ यस्माद्दाता प्रयात्यूर्ध्वमधस्तिष्ठेत्प्रतिग्रही

dāturevopakārāya vadatyarthīti dehi me yasmāddātā prayātyūrdhvamadhastiṣṭhetpratigrahī

"It is for the giver's own good that a petitioner says 'give to me'; for the giver ascends, while the receiver remains below.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.37.68)

दरिद्रा व्याधिता मूर्खाः परप्रेष्यकराः सदा॥ अदत्तदानाज्जायंते दुःखस्यैव हि भाजनाः

daridrā vyādhitā mūrkhāḥ parapreṣyakarāḥ sadā adattadānājjāyaṁte duḥkhasyaiva hi bhājanāḥ

"The poor, the sick, the foolish, those forever bound to another's service — through failing to give, they are born again as vessels of sorrow.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.37.69)

धनवंतमदातारं दरिद्रं वाऽतपस्विनम्॥ उभावंभसि मोक्तव्यौ कंठे बद्धा महाशिलाम्

dhanavaṁtamadātāraṁ daridraṁ vā'tapasvinam ubhāvaṁbhasi moktavyau kaṁṭhe baddhā mahāśilām

"The wealthy man who does not give, and the poor man who is no ascetic — both deserve to be cast into the water with a great stone bound at the neck.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.37.70)

शतेषु जायते शूरः सहस्रेषु च पंडितः॥ वक्ता शतसहस्रेषु दाता जायेत वा न वा

śateṣu jāyate śūraḥ sahasreṣu ca paṁḍitaḥ vaktā śatasahasreṣu dātā jāyeta vā na vā

"Among hundreds a hero is born, and among thousands a learned man; among hundreds of thousands an orator — but whether a true giver is ever born at all remains uncertain.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.37.71)

गोभिर्विप्रैश्च वेदैश्च सतीभिः सत्यवादिभिः॥ अलुब्धैर्दानशीलैश्च सप्तभिर्धार्यते मही

gobhirvipraiśca vedaiśca satībhiḥ satyavādibhiḥ alubdhairdānaśīlaiśca saptabhirdhāryate mahī

"By cows, by Brahmins, by the Vedas, by chaste women, by speakers of truth, by the ungreedy, and by those devoted to giving — by these seven the earth is upheld.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.37.72)

शिबिरौशीनरोङ्गानि सुतं च प्रियमौरसम्॥ ब्राह्मणार्थमुपाकृत्य नाकपृष्ठमितो गतः

śibirauśīnaroṅgāni sutaṁ ca priyamaurasam brāhmaṇārthamupākṛtya nākapṛṣṭhamito gataḥ

"King Shibi Aushinara, offering even his own flesh and his own beloved son for a Brahmin's sake, went from this world to heaven.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.37.73)

प्रतर्द्दनः काशिपति प्रदाय नयने स्वके॥ ब्राह्मणायातुलां कीर्तिमिह चामुत्र चाश्नुते

pratarddanaḥ kāśipati pradāya nayane svake brāhmaṇāyātulāṁ kīrtimiha cāmutra cāśnute

"Pratardana, king of Kashi, giving both his own eyes to a Brahmin, gained matchless fame both in this world and in the world beyond.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.37.74)

निमी राष्ट्रं च वैदेहो जामदग्न्यो वसुंधराम्॥ ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ चापि गयश्चोर्वीं सपत्तनाम्

nimī rāṣṭraṁ ca vaideho jāmadagnyo vasuṁdharām brāhmaṇebhyo dadau cāpi gayaścorvīṁ sapattanām

"Nimi, king of Videha, gave away his kingdom; Jamadagnya, Parashurama, gave away the earth itself; and Gaya gave the whole earth, with all its cities, to the Brahmins.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.37.75)

अवर्षति च पर्जन्ये सर्वभूतनिवासकृत्॥ वसिष्ठो जीवयामास प्रजापतिरिव प्रजाः

avarṣati ca parjanye sarvabhūtanivāsakṛt vasiṣṭho jīvayāmāsa prajāpatiriva prajāḥ

"When the rain-god withheld the rains, Vasishtha, refuge of all beings, kept his people alive, even as Prajapati sustains all creatures.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.37.76)

ब्रह्मदत्तश्च पांचाल्यो राजा बुद्धिमतां वरः॥ निधिं शंखं द्विजाग्र्येभ्यो दत्त्वा स्वर्गमवाप्तवान्

brahmadattaśca pāṁcālyo rājā buddhimatāṁ varaḥ nidhiṁ śaṁkhaṁ dvijāgryebhyo dattvā svargamavāptavān

"King Brahmadatta of Panchala, foremost among the wise, having offered a treasure and a conch to the finest Brahmins, attained heaven.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.37.77)

सहस्रजिच्च राजर्षिः प्राणानिष्टान्महायशाः॥ ब्राह्मणार्थे परित्यज्य गतो लोकाननुत्तमान्

sahasrajicca rājarṣiḥ prāṇāniṣṭānmahāyaśāḥ brāhmaṇārthe parityajya gato lokānanuttamān

"And the royal sage Sahasrajit, of great renown, giving up even his own beloved life for a Brahmin's sake, went to the highest worlds.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.37.78)

एते चान्ये च बहवः स्थाणोर्दानेन भक्तितः॥ रुद्रलोकं गता नित्यं शान्तात्मानो जितेन्द्रियाः

ete cānye ca bahavaḥ sthāṇordānena bhaktitaḥ rudralokaṁ gatā nityaṁ śāntātmāno jitendriyāḥ

"These and many others, through devoted giving to Sthanu, tranquil of soul and masters of their senses, have gone forever to the world of Rudra.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.37.79)

एषां प्रतिष्ठिता कीर्तिर्यावत्स्थास्यति मेदिनी॥ इति संचिंत्य सारार्थी स्थाणुदानपरो भव

eṣāṁ pratiṣṭhitā kīrtiryāvatsthāsyati medinī iti saṁciṁtya sārārthī sthāṇudānaparo bhava

"Their fame stands established for as long as this earth shall endure. Reflecting thus, you too, seeking what is essential, should become devoted to giving to Sthanu."

Verse 80 (skanda.1.37.80)

सोऽपि मोह परित्यज्य तथा कात्यायनोऽभवत्

so'pi moha parityajya tathā kātyāyano'bhavat

He too, abandoning his delusion, thus became the enlightened Katyayana.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.37.81)

॥नारद उवाच॥ एवं सुश्रवसा प्रोक्तां कथामाकर्ण्य पद्मभूः॥ हर्षाश्रुसंयुतोऽतीव प्रशशंस मुहुर्मुहुः

nārada uvāca evaṁ suśravasā proktāṁ kathāmākarṇya padmabhūḥ harṣāśrusaṁyuto'tīva praśaśaṁsa muhurmuhuḥ

Narada said: "Hearing this story told by Sushravas, the Lotus-born, his eyes filled with tears of joy, praised it again and again.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.37.82)

साधु ते व्याहृतं वत्स एवमेतन्न चान्यथा॥ सत्यं सारस्वतः प्राह सत्या चैवं तथा श्रुतिः

sādhu te vyāhṛtaṁ vatsa evametanna cānyathā satyaṁ sārasvataḥ prāha satyā caivaṁ tathā śrutiḥ

"'Well said, dear one, well said — thus it is, and not otherwise. Sarasvata has spoken the truth, and scripture too declares just this.'

Verse 83 (skanda.1.37.83)

दानं यज्ञानां वरूथं दक्षिणा लोके दातारँसर्वभूतान्युपजीवंति दानेनारातीरँपानुदंत दानेन द्विषंतो मित्रा भवंति दाने सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितं तस्माद्दानं परमं वदंतीति

dānaṁ yajñānāṁ varūthaṁ dakṣiṇā loke dātāra~sarvabhūtānyupajīvaṁti dānenārātīra~pānudaṁta dānena dviṣaṁto mitrā bhavaṁti dāne sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitaṁ tasmāddānaṁ paramaṁ vadaṁtīti

"'Giving is the shelter of sacrifices; in this world, dakshina sustains the giver; all beings live sustained by givers; by giving, enemies are driven away; by giving, even the hostile become friends; in giving, everything stands established — therefore they declare giving to be supreme.'

Verse 84 (skanda.1.37.84)

संसारसागरे घोरे धर्माधर्मोर्मिसंकुले॥ दानं तत्र निषेवेत तच्च नौरिव निर्मितम्

saṁsārasāgare ghore dharmādharmormisaṁkule dānaṁ tatra niṣeveta tacca nauriva nirmitam

"In this terrible ocean of samsara, thronged with the waves of dharma and adharma, one should take refuge in giving alone, for it is fashioned like a boat.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.37.85)

इति संचिंत्य च मया पुष्करे स्थापिता द्विजाः॥ गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्ये मध्यदेशे द्विजाः सृते

iti saṁciṁtya ca mayā puṣkare sthāpitā dvijāḥ gaṅgāyamunayormadhye madhyadeśe dvijāḥ sṛte

"Reflecting thus, I established Brahmins at Pushkara; and between the Ganga and Yamuna, in the Middle Country, Brahmins too were settled.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.37.86)

स्थापिताः श्रीहरिभ्यां तु श्रीगौर्या वेदवित्तमाः॥ रुद्रेण नागराश्चैव पार्वत्या शक्तिपूर्भवाः

sthāpitāḥ śrīharibhyāṁ tu śrīgauryā vedavittamāḥ rudreṇa nāgarāścaiva pārvatyā śaktipūrbhavāḥ

"By Shri Hari, Brahmins foremost in Vedic learning were established; by Rudra, the Nagaras; and by Parvati, the people of Shaktipura.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.37.87)

श्रीमाले च तथा लक्ष्म्या ह्येवमादिसुरोत्तमैः॥ नानाग्रहाराः संदत्ता लोकोद्धरणकांक्षया

śrīmāle ca tathā lakṣmyā hyevamādisurottamaiḥ nānāgrahārāḥ saṁdattā lokoddharaṇakāṁkṣayā

"At Shrimala too, by Lakshmi, and by other excellent gods, many land-grants for Brahmins were bestowed, out of a desire to uplift the world.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.37.88)

न हि दानफले कांक्षा काचिन्नऽस्ति सुरोत्तमाः॥ साधुसंरक्षणार्थं हि दानं नः परिकीर्तितम्

na hi dānaphale kāṁkṣā kācinna'sti surottamāḥ sādhusaṁrakṣaṇārthaṁ hi dānaṁ naḥ parikīrtitam

"There is no desire at all, O best of gods, for the fruit of giving — it is only for the protection of the virtuous that we have proclaimed the greatness of giving.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.37.89)

ब्राह्मणाश्च कृतस्थाना नानाधर्मोपदेशनैः॥ समुद्धरंति वर्णांस्त्रींस्ततः पूज्यतमा द्विजाः

brāhmaṇāśca kṛtasthānā nānādharmopadeśanaiḥ samuddharaṁti varṇāṁstrīṁstataḥ pūjyatamā dvijāḥ

"And the Brahmins so established, through teaching manifold dharma, uplift the three other varnas — for this reason Brahmins are the most worthy of worship.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.37.90)

दानं चतुर्विधं दानमुत्सर्गः कल्पितं तथा॥ संश्रुतं चेति विविधं तत्क्रमात्परिकीर्तितम्

dānaṁ caturvidhaṁ dānamutsargaḥ kalpitaṁ tathā saṁśrutaṁ ceti vividhaṁ tatkramātparikīrtitam

"Giving is of four kinds — the gift itself, dedication, the ordained, and the traditional — these, in order, are declared to be its varieties.

Verse 91 (skanda.1.37.91)

वापीकूपतडागानां वृक्षविद्यासुरौकसाम्॥ मठप्रपागृहक्षेत्रदानमुत्सर्ग इत्यसौ

vāpīkūpataḍāgānāṁ vṛkṣavidyāsuraukasām maṭhaprapāgṛhakṣetradānamutsarga ityasau

"The gift of step-wells, wells, and reservoirs, of trees, of learning, of shrines for the gods, of monasteries, water-sheds, houses, and fields — this is called dedication.

Verse 92 (skanda.1.37.92)

उपजीवन्निमान्यश्च पुण्यं कोऽपि चरेन्नरः॥ षष्ठमंशं स लभते यावद्यो विसृजेद्द्विजः

upajīvannimānyaśca puṇyaṁ ko'pi carennaraḥ ṣaṣṭhamaṁśaṁ sa labhate yāvadyo visṛjeddvijaḥ

"Whatever man makes use of these and thereby performs merit gains only a sixth part of it, so long as the Brahmin who dedicated them continues to give.

Verse 93 (skanda.1.37.93)

तदेषामेव सर्वेषां विप्रसंस्थापनं परम्॥ देवसंस्थापनं चैव धर्मस्तन्मूल एव यत्

tadeṣāmeva sarveṣāṁ viprasaṁsthāpanaṁ param devasaṁsthāpanaṁ caiva dharmastanmūla eva yat

"Of all these, the establishing of Brahmins is supreme, and so too the establishing of the gods; for dharma is rooted in this very thing.

Verse 94 (skanda.1.37.94)

देवतायतनं यावद्यावच्च ब्राह्मणगृहम्॥ तावद्दातुः पूर्वजानां पुण्यांशश्चोपतिष्ठति

devatāyatanaṁ yāvadyāvacca brāhmaṇagṛham tāvaddātuḥ pūrvajānāṁ puṇyāṁśaścopatiṣṭhati

"As long as a shrine of the gods stands, and as long as a Brahmin's house stands, so long the share of merit continues to reach the giver's ancestors.

Verse 95 (skanda.1.37.95)

एतत्स्वल्पं हि वाणिज्यं पुनर्बहुफलप्रदम्॥ जीर्णोद्धारे च द्विगुणमेतदेव प्रकीर्तितम्

etatsvalpaṁ hi vāṇijyaṁ punarbahuphalapradam jīrṇoddhāre ca dviguṇametadeva prakīrtitam

"This is, as it were, a small investment that yields great fruit again and again; and in restoring what has fallen into ruin, this very merit is said to be doubled.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.37.96)

तस्मादिदं त्वहमपिब्रवीमि सुरसत्तमाः॥ नास्ति दानसमं किंचित्सत्यं सारस्वतो जगौ

tasmādidaṁ tvahamapibravīmi surasattamāḥ nāsti dānasamaṁ kiṁcitsatyaṁ sārasvato jagau

"Therefore, O best of gods, I too declare: there is nothing equal to giving." Thus, in truth, did Sarasvata speak.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.37.97)

॥नारद उवाच॥ इति सारस्वतप्रोक्तां तथा पद्मभुवेरिताम्॥ साधुसाध्वित्यमोदंत सुराश्चाहं सुविस्मिताः

nārada uvāca iti sārasvataproktāṁ tathā padmabhuveritām sādhusādhvityamodaṁta surāścāhaṁ suvismitāḥ

Narada said: "At this word, spoken by Sarasvata and repeated by the Lotus-born, the gods, greatly delighted, cried 'well said, well said,' and I too was filled with wonder.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.37.98)

ततः सभाविसर्गांते सुरम्ये मेरुमूर्धनि॥ उपविश्य शिलापृष्ठे अहमेतदचिंतयम्

tataḥ sabhāvisargāṁte suramye merumūrdhani upaviśya śilāpṛṣṭhe ahametadaciṁtayam

"Then, at the close of that assembly, seated upon a rock on the delightful peak of Meru, I reflected thus:

Verse 99 (skanda.1.37.99)

सत्यमाह विरंचिस्तु स किमर्थं तु जीवति॥ येनैकमपि तद्धृत्तं नैव येन कृतार्थता

satyamāha viraṁcistu sa kimarthaṁ tu jīvati yenaikamapi taddhṛttaṁ naiva yena kṛtārthatā

"Virinchi has spoken the truth — but for what does a man live who has done not even that one deed, by which alone his life might be truly fulfilled?

Verse 100 (skanda.1.37.100)

तदहं दानपुण्यं हि करिष्यामि कथं स्फुटम्॥ कौपीनदण्डात्मधनो धनं स्वल्पं हि नास्ति मे

tadahaṁ dānapuṇyaṁ hi kariṣyāmi kathaṁ sphuṭam kaupīnadaṇḍātmadhano dhanaṁ svalpaṁ hi nāsti me

"How then shall I clearly perform this meritorious deed of giving? My loincloth and staff are my only wealth — I possess, in truth, nothing at all.

Verse 101 (skanda.1.37.101)

अनर्हते यद्ददाति न ददाति तथार्हते॥ अर्हानर्हपरिज्ञानाद्दानधर्मो हि दुष्करः

anarhate yaddadāti na dadāti tathārhate arhānarhaparijñānāddānadharmo hi duṣkaraḥ

"He who gives to the unworthy, and withholds from the worthy — for want of true knowledge of who is worthy and who is not, the dharma of giving becomes exceedingly difficult.

Verse 102 (skanda.1.37.102)

देशेकाले च पात्रे च शुद्धेन मनसा तथा॥ न्यायार्जितं च यो दद्याद्यौवने स तदश्नुते

deśekāle ca pātre ca śuddhena manasā tathā nyāyārjitaṁ ca yo dadyādyauvane sa tadaśnute

"He who gives in the right place, at the right time, to the right recipient, with a pure mind, from wealth rightly earned, enjoys its fruit even in his own youth.

Verse 103 (skanda.1.37.103)

तमोवृतस्तु यो दद्यात्क्रोधात्तथैव च॥ भुंक्ते दान फलं तद्धि गर्भस्थो नात्र संशयः

tamovṛtastu yo dadyātkrodhāttathaiva ca bhuṁkte dāna phalaṁ taddhi garbhastho nātra saṁśayaḥ

"But he who gives while veiled in ignorance, or out of anger — he enjoys the fruit of that gift even while still in the womb, of this there is no doubt.

Verse 104 (skanda.1.37.104)

बालत्वेऽपि च सोऽश्राति यद्दत्तं दम्भकारणात्॥ दत्तमन्यायतो वित्तं वै चार्थकारणम्

bālatve'pi ca so'śrāti yaddattaṁ dambhakāraṇāt dattamanyāyato vittaṁ vai cārthakāraṇam

"What is given out of mere pretense, he enjoys already in childhood; wealth given wrongly, for the sake of gain alone...

Verse 105 (skanda.1.37.105)

वृद्धत्वे हि समश्राति नरो वै नात्र भविष्यति॥ तस्माद्देशे च काले च सुपात्रे विधिना नरः॥ शुभार्जितं प्रयुञ्जीत श्रद्धया शाठ्यवर्जितः

vṛddhatve hi samaśrāti naro vai nātra bhaviṣyati tasmāddeśe ca kāle ca supātre vidhinā naraḥ śubhārjitaṁ prayuñjīta śraddhayā śāṭhyavarjitaḥ

"...such a man enjoys only in old age, and never after. Therefore, in the right place and time, to a worthy recipient, by proper rule, one should offer rightly earned wealth with faith, free from all deceit.

Verse 106 (skanda.1.37.106)

तदेतन्निर्धनत्वाच्च कथं नाम भविष्यति॥ सत्यमाहुः पुरा वाक्यं पुराणमुनयोऽमलाः

tadetannirdhanatvācca kathaṁ nāma bhaviṣyati satyamāhuḥ purā vākyaṁ purāṇamunayo'malāḥ

"But being without wealth myself, how shall this be possible for me? Truly the pure sages of old have spoken this ancient saying —

Verse 107 (skanda.1.37.107)

नाधनस्यास्त्ययं लोको न परश्च कथंचन॥ अभिशस्तं प्रपश्यंति दरिद्रं पार्श्वतः स्थितम्

nādhanasyāstyayaṁ loko na paraśca kathaṁcana abhiśastaṁ prapaśyaṁti daridraṁ pārśvataḥ sthitam

"'For the poor man there is neither this world nor any other; people look upon a poor man standing near them just as they would upon one accursed.'

Verse 108 (skanda.1.37.108)

दारिद्र्यं पातकं लोके कस्तच्छंसितुमर्हति॥ पतितः शोच्यते सर्वैर्निर्धनश्चापि शोच्यते

dāridryaṁ pātakaṁ loke kastacchaṁsitumarhati patitaḥ śocyate sarvairnirdhanaścāpi śocyate

"'Poverty in this world is itself a sin — who indeed could praise it? The fallen man is mourned by all, and so is the poor man.'

Verse 109 (skanda.1.37.109)

यः कृशाश्वः कृशधनः कृशभृत्यः कृशातिथिः॥ स वै प्रोक्तः कृशोनाम न शरीरकृशः कृशऋ

yaḥ kṛśāśvaḥ kṛśadhanaḥ kṛśabhṛtyaḥ kṛśātithiḥ sa vai proktaḥ kṛśonāma na śarīrakṛśaḥ kṛśaṛ

"'He whose horse is meagre, whose wealth is meagre, whose servants are meagre, whose hospitality is meagre — he alone is truly called "thin," and not one whose body alone is thin.'

Verse 110 (skanda.1.37.110)

अर्थवान्दुष्कुलीनोऽपि लोके पूज्यतमो नरः॥ शशिनस्तुल्यवंशोऽपि निर्धनः परिभूयते

arthavānduṣkulīno'pi loke pūjyatamo naraḥ śaśinastulyavaṁśo'pi nirdhanaḥ paribhūyate

"'A wealthy man, even of low birth, is held most worthy of honor in this world; while a poor man, even of a lineage equal to the moon's, is treated with contempt.'

Verse 111 (skanda.1.37.111)

ज्ञानवृद्धास्तपोवृद्धा ये च वृद्धा बहुश्रुताः॥ ते सर्वे धनवृद्धस्य द्वारि तिष्ठन्ति किंकराः

jñānavṛddhāstapovṛddhā ye ca vṛddhā bahuśrutāḥ te sarve dhanavṛddhasya dvāri tiṣṭhanti kiṁkarāḥ

"'The wise in knowledge, the elders in austerity, and those advanced in learning — all of them stand like servants at the door of a man grown rich in wealth.'

Verse 112 (skanda.1.37.112)

यद्यप्ययं त्रिभुवने अर्थोऽस्माकं पराग्नहि॥ तथाप्यन्यप्रार्थितो हि तस्यैव फलदो भवेत्

yadyapyayaṁ tribhuvane artho'smākaṁ parāgnahi tathāpyanyaprārthito hi tasyaiva phalado bhavet

"'Even though this wealth, in all the three worlds, is truly no one's own at all, still, when another comes to seek it, that very wealth becomes the giver of its fruit.'

Verse 113 (skanda.1.37.113)

अथवैतत्पुरा सर्वं चिंतयिष्यामि सुस्फुटम्॥ विलोकयामि पूर्वं तु किंचिद्योग्यं हि स्थानकम्

athavaitatpurā sarvaṁ ciṁtayiṣyāmi susphuṭam vilokayāmi pūrvaṁ tu kiṁcidyogyaṁ hi sthānakam

"Or rather, let me now consider all of this clearly from the beginning; first let me seek out some fitting place."

Verse 114 (skanda.1.37.114)

स चिंतयित्वेति बहुप्रकारं देशांश्च ग्रामान्नगराणि चाश्रमान्॥ बहूनहं पर्यटन्नाप्तवान्हि स्थानं हितं स्थापये यत्र विप्रान्

sa ciṁtayitveti bahuprakāraṁ deśāṁśca grāmānnagarāṇi cāśramān bahūnahaṁ paryaṭannāptavānhi sthānaṁ hitaṁ sthāpaye yatra viprān

Thinking thus in many ways, I wandered through lands, villages, cities, and hermitages; and though I wandered far and wide, I found no fitting place where I might establish Brahmins.