Mahabharata Anushasana Parva – सर्वेषाम एव दानानाम अन्नं शरेष्ठम उदाहृतम

Shloka (श्लोक)

सर्वेषाम एव दानानाम अन्नं शरेष्ठम उदाहृतम
पूर्वम अन्नं परदातव्यम ऋजुना धर्मम इच्छता

⚡ Quick Meaning

Among all forms of gifts, food is deemed the best; thus, those desirous of righteousness should prioritize gifting food.

Translations

English Translation

This shloka recognizes food as the highest gift among all donations. It advocates that individuals seeking to act righteously should focus on distributing food, emphasizing nourishment as an essential necessity for life.

हिंदी अनुवाद

यह श्लोक सभी प्रकार के दानों में भोजन को सर्वश्रेष्ठ मानता है। जो लोग धर्म का पालन करना चाहते हैं, उन्हें भोजन का वितरण प्राथमिकता के साथ करना चाहिए। यह जीवन के लिए पोषण को अनिवार्य मानता है।

Commentary

Context

Contained within the Anushasana Parva, this verse underscores the importance of food as the most significant offering one can make.

Meaning

The message implies that making food donations resonates deeply with the principles of compassion and caring for others’ needs.

Application

Engaging in food donations encourages a spirit of generosity and directly addresses the fundamental needs of the community.