Śatadyumna

Śatadyumna was a bhūmipati (ruler of the earth) praised in the Anuśāsana Parva of the Mahābhārata. He gave his own palace to the great ṛṣi Maudgalya, of the Mudgala line. The palace was made wholly of gold and filled with every kind of bhoga (comfort and pleasure). Through this gift he reached svarga (heaven).

The gift of the golden palace

Bhīṣma names a number of kings who are examples of dāna (giving). Among them he names Śatadyumna, who gave his own bhavana (palace) to the great ṛṣi Maudgalya. The palace was entirely of gold and held every comfort. Through this act Śatadyumna reached svarga.

Meaning of the gift

The Anuśāsana Parva returns again and again to one teaching. Dāna of the most prized things, such as kingdoms, palaces, daughters and even life itself, wins the highest lokas (worlds) when it is given to a worthy pātra (receiver). The gift of Śatadyumna is one example of this.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 137