n who makes gifts of
agreeable things and who does to others what is agreeable to others,
always succeeds in obtaining things that are agreeable to himself. Such a
person certainly becomes agreeable unto all, both here and hereafter.
That man, O Yudhishthira, is a cruel wretch, who, through vanity, does
not, to the extent of his means, attend to the wishes of one who is poor
and helpless, and who solicits assistance.[318] He is verily the foremost
of men who shows favour unto even an helpless enemy fallen into distress
when such enemy presents himself and prays for help. No man is equal to
him (in merit) who satisfies the hunger of a person that is emaciated,
possessed of learning, destitute of the means of support, and weakened by
misery. One should always, O son of Kunti, dispel by every means in one's
power, the distress of righteous persons observant of vows and acts, who,
though destitute of sons and spouses and plunged into misery, do not yet
solicit others for any kind of assistance. Those persons who do not utter
blessings upon the deities and men (in expectation of gifts), who are
deserving of reverence and always contented, and who subsist upon such
alms as they get without solicitation of any kind, are regarded as
veritable snakes of virulent poison. Do thou, O Bharata, always protect
thyself from them by making gifts unto them. They are competent to make
the foremost of Ritwikas. Thou art to find them out by means of thy spies
and agents.[319] Thou shouldst honour those men by gifts of good houses
equipped with every necessary article, with slaves and serving men, with
good robes and vestments, O son of Kuru, and with all articles competent
to contribute to one's pleasure and happiness. Righteous men of righteous
deeds should make such gifts, impelled by the motive that it is their
duty to act in that way and not from desire of reaping any rewards
therefrom. Verily good men should act in this way so that the virtuous
men described above might not, O Yudhishthira, feel any disinclination to
accept those gifts sanctified by devotion and faith. There are persons
bathed in learning and bathed in vows. Without depending upon anybody
they obtain their means of subsistence. These Brahmanas of rigid vows are
devoted to Vedic study and penances without proclaiming their practices
to any one. Whatever gifts thou mayst make unto those persons of pure
behaviour, of thorough mastery over their senses, and always contented