sulabhā yudhi viprarṣe
sulabhā yudhi viprarṣe
hy anivṛttās tanu-tyajaḥ
na tathā tīrtha āyāte
śraddhayā ye dhana-tyajaḥ
O best of the brāhmaṇas! Many men have laid down their lives on the battlefield, being unafraid of fighting, but rarely has one obtained the chance to give his accumulated wealth when there is an opportunity for giving.
Those who do not refuse giving in charity become more famous than those who do not refuse battle. Tīrthe means “in giving.” It is more difficult to give up wealth than to give up one’s body. Therefore I should give up wealth.
|| 8.20.10 ||
manasvinaḥ kāruṇikasya śobhanaṁ
yad arthi-kāmopanayena durgatiḥ
kutaḥ punar brahma-vidāṁ bhavādṛśāṁ
tato vaṭor asya dadāmi vāñchitam
The glory of the generous, merciful giver is to become poor by fulfilling the desire of a requestor, what to speak of fulfilling the desires of a person like you possessing spiritual knowledge. Therefore I will give whatever the brahmacārī desires.
“Then you will become poor.” The glory for the person generous in giving (manisvinaḥ) is becoming poor by satisfying a person who makes a request. Durgati means poor. Becoming poor by fulfilling the desire of a person like you is even more glorious.
|| 8.20.11 ||
yajanti yajñaṁ kratubhir yam ādṛtā
bhavanta āmnāya-vidhāna-kovidāḥ
sa eva viṣṇur varado 'stu vā paro
dāsyāmy amuṣmai kṣitim īpsitāṁ mune
He whom you respected knowers of Vedic sacrifice worship as yajña by sacrifices is Viṣṇu. O sage! Let Viṣṇu be a giver of benedictions. Or let him be an enemy. I will give to him the land he desired.
“But this brahmacārī is Viṣṇu, your enemy.” Then I must definitely give to him. Paraḥ vā means “let him be an enemy.”
|| 8.20.12 ||
yadyapy asāv adharmeṇa
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