Such gifts are fraught with virtue and equal to high austerities. Such gifts, as also mercy to all creatures, and Brahmacharya, truthfulness of speech, and kindness, and fortitude, and forgiveness, form the eternal foundations of virtue which itself is eternal. We hear of Vishvamitra and other kings of ancient times.
एष धर्मो महायोगो दानं भूतदया तथा! ब्रह्मचर्ये तथा सत्यमनुक्रोशो धृतिः क्षमा॥ सनातनस्य धर्मस्य मूलमेतत् सनातनम्। श्रूयन्ते हि पुरा वृत्ता विश्वामित्रादयो नृपाः॥