There is an extra verse after verse 13 which says, given with disrespect, the gift kills the giver. One must give with faith and love. Charity minus faith bears no fruit, observes Shruiti. The Gita also has it: “Charity, sacrifice, penance and work performed without faith is futile. O Paartha! They yield results neither here nor hereafter”.
The power of a priest 1.13.31-37
The general principle of dharma is that a brahmin should lead the priest while going to commence religious acts like performing a sacrifice etc., A group of kings is led by a brahmin to another group of kings Shruti. Gautama also says, “A brahmin should be placed in front. He should be learned, of high lineage, endowed with proper appearance, age, and virtue, devoted to the path of honesty and austerity. Guided by him he (a king) should perform religious rituals. It is learnt that the martial race prospers and does not experience suffering only when guided by him”.
Tapatya Episode:
There is a story of Tapatya in the “Adiparva” of the Mahabharata. “O Paartha! he for whom a brahmin leads the way while performing his duties (as a king) can defeat his enemies. Therefore, O Tapatya, whatever success men desire to achieve here a brahmin who has subjugated his passions must be appointed for that purpose. Truthful, holy, righteous and contented brahmins who are devoted to the study of scriptures and their six auxiliary sciences should be the chief priest of the kings. The king whose priest is proficient in Dharmasastra, is eloquent, virtuous and pious, for him victory is certain followed by a heavenly abode hereafter. For gaining the desired object or for abandoning the undesired one, for preserving what has been gained a king should select a meritorious brahmin. He should follow the advice of the priest if he desires glory by conquering the entire earth reaching up to the oceans on all sides. No king can ever conquer the earth without being led by a brahmin. So know this to be certain O scion of the Ikshvakus that a kingdom can be ruled for a long time only when a brahmin leads the way for a king”.
Yudhisthira-Dalbhya Dialogue:
The dialogue between Yudhisthira and Dalbhya also reiterates the same point. “Kshatriyas conjoin brahmins and brahmins similarly conjoin kshatriyas. Thus they burn the enemies, as fire and wind together reduce a forest to ashes. My dear child, devoid of a priest, a king cannot possess this world or the other for long. Only on the advice of a brahmin, proficient in dharma and artha can he crush his enemies. Even after following the righteous path of fulfilling his duty towards the subjects protecting them vigilantly, Bali did not reach a holy abode without the help of a priest”.
“Vairochana, the asura, did not have a single desire unfulfilled. Wealth had never forsaken him. He conquered the earth in conjunction with brahmins but was unkind to them afterwards. He was totally ruined thereby”. “The earth, with all its resources comes not under the second class caste (kshatriyas) when not conjoined with a brahmin. If the king is instructed by a brahmin in matters concerning polity, the earth encircled by the oceans bows to him. When an elephant takes possession of the goad (disregards the commands of the rider) his strength is reduced. Similarly the strength of a king unsupported by a brahmin is diminished”.
There is no foresight better than that of a brahmin. The prowess of the kshatriyas has no parallel. When the two work together the world is happy. As a powerful fire burns the forest of deadwood assisted by wind, similarly kings reduce the enemy to ashes when assisted by a brahmin.
“An intelligent king must move among the brahmins for obtaining what he desires and for preserving that which has been procured. For getting what is desired and for enhancing what is got, for receiving instructions leading to the right path, you should choose a noted and learned brahmin only who is proficient in the Vedas and is knowledgeable”.
“O Yudhisthira, your behaviour towards the brahmins makes your reputation shine in all the worlds.
Sarga-13
There is an extra verse after verse 13 which says, given with disrespect, the gift kills the giver. One must give with faith and love. Charity minus faith bears no fruit, observes Shruiti. The Gita also has it: “Charity, sacrifice, penance and work performed without faith is futile. O Paartha! They yield results neither here nor hereafter”.
The power of a priest 1.13.31-37
The general principle of dharma is that a brahmin should lead the priest while going to commence religious acts like performing a sacrifice etc., A group of kings is led by a brahmin to another group of kings Shruti. Gautama also says, “A brahmin should be placed in front. He should be learned, of high lineage, endowed with proper appearance, age, and virtue, devoted to the path of honesty and austerity. Guided by him he (a king) should perform religious rituals. It is learnt that the martial race prospers and does not experience suffering only when guided by him”.
Tapatya Episode:
There is a story of Tapatya in the “Adiparva” of the Mahabharata. “O Paartha! he for whom a brahmin leads the way while performing his duties (as a king) can defeat his enemies. Therefore, O Tapatya, whatever success men desire to achieve here a brahmin who has subjugated his passions must be appointed for that purpose. Truthful, holy, righteous and contented brahmins who are devoted to the study of scriptures and their six auxiliary sciences should be the chief priest of the kings. The king whose priest is proficient in Dharmasastra, is eloquent, virtuous and pious, for him victory is certain followed by a heavenly abode hereafter. For gaining the desired object or for abandoning the undesired one, for preserving what has been gained a king should select a meritorious brahmin. He should follow the advice of the priest if he desires glory by conquering the entire earth reaching up to the oceans on all sides. No king can ever conquer the earth without being led by a brahmin. So know this to be certain O scion of the Ikshvakus that a kingdom can be ruled for a long time only when a brahmin leads the way for a king”.
Yudhisthira-Dalbhya Dialogue:
The dialogue between Yudhisthira and Dalbhya also reiterates the same point. “Kshatriyas conjoin brahmins and brahmins similarly conjoin kshatriyas. Thus they burn the enemies, as fire and wind together reduce a forest to ashes. My dear child, devoid of a priest, a king cannot possess this world or the other for long. Only on the advice of a brahmin, proficient in dharma and artha can he crush his enemies. Even after following the righteous path of fulfilling his duty towards the subjects protecting them vigilantly, Bali did not reach a holy abode without the help of a priest”.
“Vairochana, the asura, did not have a single desire unfulfilled. Wealth had never forsaken him. He conquered the earth in conjunction with brahmins but was unkind to them afterwards. He was totally ruined thereby”. “The earth, with all its resources comes not under the second class caste (kshatriyas) when not conjoined with a brahmin. If the king is instructed by a brahmin in matters concerning polity, the earth encircled by the oceans bows to him. When an elephant takes possession of the goad (disregards the commands of the rider) his strength is reduced. Similarly the strength of a king unsupported by a brahmin is diminished”.
There is no foresight better than that of a brahmin. The prowess of the kshatriyas has no parallel. When the two work together the world is happy. As a powerful fire burns the forest of deadwood assisted by wind, similarly kings reduce the enemy to ashes when assisted by a brahmin.
“An intelligent king must move among the brahmins for obtaining what he desires and for preserving that which has been procured. For getting what is desired and for enhancing what is got, for receiving instructions leading to the right path, you should choose a noted and learned brahmin only who is proficient in the Vedas and is knowledgeable”.
“O Yudhisthira, your behaviour towards the brahmins makes your reputation shine in all the worlds.