Critical Edition
युधिष्ठिर उवाच यौ तु स्यातां चरणेनोपपन्नौ; यौ विद्यया सदृशौ जन्मना च ताभ्यां दानं कतरस्मै विशिष्ट;मयाचमानाय च याचते च
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said To which of two Brahmanas, when both happen to be equally pure in conduct, equally, gifted with learning and purity, of birth and blood, but differing from each other in only this, viz., the one solicits and the other does not-I ask O grandfather, would a gift be more meritorious?
भीष्म उवाच श्रेयो वै याचतः पार्थ दत्तमाहुरयाचते अर्हत्तमो वै धृतिमान्कृपणादधृतात्मनः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said It has been said, O son of Pritha, that a gift made to an unsoliciting person yields greater merit than one made to a person who begs. One endued with contentment is certainly more deserving than that person who is shorn of that virtue and is, therefore, helpless amidst the storms and buffets of the world.
क्षत्रियो रक्षणधृतिर्ब्राह्मणोऽनर्थनाधृतिः ब्राह्मणो धृतिमान्विद्वान्देवान्प्रीणाति तुष्टिमान्
M. N. Dutt: The firmness of a Kshatriya consists in the protection he gives to others. The firmness of a Brahmana consists in his refusal to beg. The Brahmana endued with steadiness and learning and contentment gladdens the celestials.
याच्ञामाहुरनीशस्य अभिहारं च भारत उद्वेजयति याचन्हि सदा भूतानि दस्युवत्
M. N. Dutt: The wise have said that an act of begging on the part of a poor man is a great reproach. Thosc persons who solicit others are said to annoy the world like thieves and robbers.
म्रियते याचमानो वै तमनु म्रियते ददत् ददत्संजीवयत्येनमात्मानं च युधिष्ठिर
M. N. Dutt: The person who solicits is said to meet with death. The giver, however, is said not to meet with death. The giver is said to give life to him who solicits. By an act of gift, O Yudhishthira, the giver is said to rescue his own self also.
आनृशंस्यं परो धर्मो याचते यत्प्रदीयते अयाचतः सीदमानान्सर्वोपायैर्निमन्त्रय
M. N. Dutt: Mercy is a very high virtue. Led by niercy people make gifts to those who solicit. Those, however, who do not beg but are sunk into poverty and distress, should be respectfully invited for receiving help.
यदि वै तादृशा राष्ट्रे वसेयुस्ते द्विजोत्तमाः भस्मच्छन्नानिवाग्नींस्तान्बुध्येथास्त्वं प्रयत्नतः
M. N. Dutt: If such Brahmanas, who must be considered as the foremost of their order, live in your kingdom, you should consider them as fire covered with ashes.
तपसा दीप्यमानास्ते दहेयुः पृथिवीमपि पूज्या हि ज्ञानविज्ञानतपोयोगसमन्विताः
AI Translation: They, shining with austerities, could burn even the earth. For they are worthy of worship, endowed with knowledge, wisdom, austerities, and yoga.
Supplementary Passages:
13.59.8 After 8ab, V1 B Dn2.n3 D8.10 ins.: *332 अपूज्यमानाः कौरव्य पूजार्हास्ते तथाविधाः
तेभ्यः पूजां प्रयुञ्जीथा ब्राह्मणेभ्यः परंतप ददद्बहुविधान्दायानुपच्छन्दानयाचताम्
AI Translation: O scorcher of enemies, you should offer worship to those Brahmanas. Giving many kinds of gifts to those who ask for them, you should satisfy them.
यदग्निहोत्रे सुहुते सायंप्रातर्भवेत्फलम् विद्यावेदव्रतवति तद्दानफलमुच्यते
AI Translation: The fruit that is obtained by offering the Agnihotra sacrifice in the evening and morning is said to be the fruit of giving to one who is learned in the Vedas and who observes the vows.
विद्यावेदव्रतस्नातानव्यपाश्रयजीविनः गूढस्वाध्यायतपसो ब्राह्मणान्संशितव्रतान्
AI Translation: Those who are bathed in the vows of knowledge and the Vedas, who live without taking refuge in anyone, Those who are engaged in secret study and austerities, the Brahmins of steadfast vows,
कृतैरावसथैर्हृद्यैः सप्रेष्यैः सपरिच्छदैः निमन्त्रयेथाः कौन्तेय कामैश्चान्यैर्द्विजोत्तमान्
AI Translation: With well-prepared dwellings, with attendants and with all the necessary things, O son of Kunti, you should invite the best of Brahmanas with other desires.
अपि ते प्रतिगृह्णीयुः श्रद्धापूतं युधिष्ठिर कार्यमित्येव मन्वाना धर्मज्ञाः सूक्ष्मदर्शिनः
AI Translation: Even they would accept it, O Yudhiṣṭhira, if it were purified by faith. Considering it to be their duty, the knowers of dharma, the subtle-seers,
अपि ते ब्राह्मणा भुक्त्वा गताः सोद्धरणान्गृहान् येषां दाराः प्रतीक्षन्ते पर्जन्यमिव कर्षकाः
AI Translation: Have the Brahmanas eaten and gone home, taking with them the leftovers? Do their wives wait for them like farmers for the rain?
अन्नानि प्रातःसवने नियता ब्रह्मचारिणः ब्राह्मणास्तात भुञ्जानास्त्रेताग्नीन्प्रीणयन्तु ते
AI Translation: The Brahmins, who are celibate, eat the food at the morning pressing. O son, may they, eating, gratify the fires.
माध्यंदिनं ते सवनं ददतस्तात वर्तताम् गा हिरण्यानि वासांसि तेनेन्द्रः प्रीयतां तव
AI Translation: Give you the midday pressing, O father, let it be yours. Cattle, gold, and garments, may Indra be pleased with you.
तृतीयं सवनं तत्ते वैश्वदेवं युधिष्ठिर यद्देवेभ्यः पितृभ्यश्च विप्रेभ्यश्च प्रयच्छसि
AI Translation: That is the third pressing, O Yudhiṣṭhira, the one for all the gods. That which you give to the gods, to the ancestors, and to the brahmins.
अहिंसा सर्वभूतेभ्यः संविभागश्च सर्वशः दमस्त्यागो धृतिः सत्यं भवत्ववभृथाय ते
AI Translation: Non-violence towards all beings, and sharing everything, Self-control, renunciation, patience, truth - may these be for your welfare.
एष ते विततो यज्ञः श्रद्धापूतः सदक्षिणः विशिष्टः सर्वयज्ञेभ्यो नित्यं तात प्रवर्तताम्
AI Translation: This is your extended sacrifice, purified by faith, with gifts. Let it always be superior to all sacrifices, O son.
Supplementary Passages:
13.59.19 After 19, T1 ins.: *333 यत्किंचित्पाण्डरं पुष्पं यत्किंचिदनुलेपनम् अलक्ष्मीपरिहाराय नित्यं देयं युधिष्ठिर