Verse 4.228

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

यत् किं चिदपि दातव्यं याचितेनानसूयया ।
उत्पत्स्यते हि तत् पात्रं यत् तारयति सर्वतः ॥ २२८ ॥

yat kiṃ cidapi dātavyaṃ yācitenānasūyayā |
utpatsyate hi tat pātraṃ yat tārayati sarvataḥ || 228 ||

When asked, he should give something, without showing any displeasure. Because he may turn out to be a worthy recipient who will save him from everything.—(228)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

‘Something’—however little—shall be given by one who is ‘asked,’ begged. If there is some doubt,—and no certainty—as to the person being a worthy or unworthy recipient, some little thing, not much, should be given. The idea, that much shall not be given, is due to a direct assertion to that effect, in connection with doubtful cases.

It is just possible that the man may turn out to be a worthy recipient;—What sort of recipient?—‘One who will save him from’—guard him against—‘everything’—all kinds of Sin that lead men to hell.

It has been said under 3.96 that gifts are to be offered to ‘one who knows the Veda and its meaning;’ and to that the present verse is an exception, providing for small gifts being offered in cases of doubtful worthiness of the recipient.—(228)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Aparārka (p. 385);—and in Hemādri (Dāna, p. 7).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Yājñavalkya (1.203).—(See above.)

Dakṣa (3.30),—‘If one asks him for charity for the sake of obviating some trouble or for the maintenance of his family,—he shall give what is asked for, after due investigation. Such is the law relating to all gifts.’