13.058
Praise of brāhmaṇas
Yudhishthira said.
O best of Kurus, which are these gifts given outside the altar that they declare? Among them, which gift do you consider as superior? (13-58-1)
O lord, I indeed have supreme curiosity there. Please explain to me that gift by which the gift follows the giver. (13-58-2)
Bhīṣma said.
He should grant fearlessness to all beings, offer favor even in adversity, and give whatever is desired to the thirsty one who asks. (13-58-3)
That is said to be the best gift, O best of the Bharatas, which, having given, one feels it was given; such a gift follows the giver. (13-58-4)
The gifts of gold, cows, and even of earth—these purify and liberate one even from evil deeds. (13-58-5)
O tiger among men, always give these gifts to the virtuous. Indeed, gifts free a person from sin; there is no doubt about this. (13-58-6)
Whatever one treasures most in the world and whatever is most dear to him at home, such things should be given to a worthy person by one wishing for the imperishable; only that gift is undiminishing. (13-58-7)
One who gives affection and does what is pleasing obtains dear things in this world; he becomes dear to beings both here and hereafter. (13-58-8)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, whoever, out of pride, does not honor to the best of his ability one who is begging, who is full of hope, and who possesses nothing—he is cruel. (13-58-9)
He who shows favor to even an enemy who, afflicted, comes seeking refuge in distress, he indeed is the best of men. (13-58-10)
O dear one, one who removes the hunger of an emaciated, modest person whose livelihood is exhausted and who is sinking—there is no man equal to him. (13-58-11)
O son of Kunti, invite, by all means, those virtuous and self-controlled people, who are afflicted with their sons and wives, who do not beg, but with modesty. (13-58-12)
Those who do not offer benedictions either to gods or mortals, who are worthy, steadfast in eternal essence, and subsist upon what is obtained as it comes. (13-58-13)
O Bhārata, protect yourself from those who are like poisonous serpents. Have the skilled ones investigate them, as well as the foremost among the excellent brāhmaṇas. (13-58-14)
O Kaurava, you should always invite (them) with well-prepared dwellings, attendants, and equipment, all of which confer every kind of happiness. (13-58-15)
If the righteous and those of meritorious deeds, O Yudhishthira, might accept what is purified by faith, thinking indeed that it should be done. (13-58-16)
Brāhmaṇas who are purified by knowledge and by vows, who subsist on support from others, whose self-study and austerity are concealed, and who are firm in their vows. (13-58-17)
Among those who are pure, self-controlled, and devoted to their own wives, whatever good you perform, that will spread your reputation throughout the worlds. (13-58-18)
Just as the Agnihotra sacrifice that is properly offered by a twice-born in the evening and morning, so too is a gift made to the twice-born by one whose self is purified. (13-58-19)
May this sacrifice, offered to you, purified by faith and accompanied by gifts, O dear, be distinguished above all other sacrifices of the giver. (13-58-20)
O Yudhishthira, offering food to such beings is equal to giving a gift; by making offerings and honoring them, one indeed attains freedom from debt. (13-58-21)
Those who do not get angry at us and do not become greedy even for trivial things like grass, they alone are most worthy of our honor, not merely those others who speak pleasant words. (13-58-22)
Those who do not value us highly, nor do other people associate with us, are also to be protected like sons; to them, salutation and safety also. (13-58-23)
Priests, household priests, and teachers, being gentle bearers of Brahman, indeed have their lustre diminished by association with kṣatriya power, truly, in the case of a brāhmaṇa. (13-58-24)
O Yudhishthira, though you may think, 'I am strong, I am king,' never afflict the Brāhmaṇas with (lack of) clothing, food, or the like. (13-58-25)
O sinless one, whatever wealth that is yours for splendour or strength, with that you should worship Brāhmaṇas who observe their own dharma. (13-58-26)
The present Brāhmaṇas, who are to be revered by you, should interact with you as they wish, with comfort and enthusiasm, just as with their own son. (13-58-27)
O best of the Kurus, who other than you is truly worthy to provide for friends who are easily pleased and satisfied with little? (13-58-28)
Just as reliance on the husband is the eternal duty of women in the world, with the husband being their god and only goal, so too is it for us of the twice-born classes. (13-58-29)
O dear one, if the brāhmaṇas, not being honored by us, were to abandon us, seeing the terrible actions that are always present among kṣatriyas. (13-58-30)
For us, what is the purpose of life among those who are without the Veda, without fame, who have no worlds, and do not perform sacrifices? Indeed, that is not dependence upon the Brāhmaṇas for us. (13-58-31)
Here I will explain to you how the eternal duty is: Once, O King, the kṣatriya served the brāhmaṇa. The scripture declares that the vaiśya served the kṣatriya, and the śūdra served the vaiśya. (13-58-32)
A Brāhmaṇa, like blazing fire, should be served by a Śūdra from a distance; but by a Vaiśya and a Kṣatriya, he may be served by touching and personal attendance. (13-58-33)
He served those twice-born who were gentle by nature, truthful in character, upholders of true dharma, and (yet) when angered were like venomous serpents. (13-58-34)
The powers and austerities of all others, including those superior and high among the kṣatriyas, with their energy and strength, are ultimately pacified in the brāhmaṇas. (13-58-35)
To me, no one is dearer than my father, O father, not even you; nor is my father's father, O king, nor my own self, nor even my life. (13-58-36)
There is no one on earth dearer to me than you; yet even than you, the Brāhmaṇas are dearer to me, O best of the Bharatas. (13-58-37)
I truly speak this, O descendant of Paṇḍu. By that truth, may I reach those worlds where Śantanu is. (13-58-38)
May I see the pure worlds of the virtuous, presided over by Brahman. There, O father, I must go, both for a day and for a long time. (13-58-39)
O best of the Bharatas, seeing such worlds as these, I do not regret what I have done to the brāhmaṇas, O king. (13-58-40)
