Shloka 20
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
नाननुज्ञातभूमिहि यज्ञस्य फलमश्षुते । त्वं हि सर्वस्य जगत: स्थावरस्य चरस्य च
nānanujñātabhūmir hi yajñasya phalam aśnute | tvaṁ hi sarvasya jagataḥ sthāvarasya carasya ca ||
ভীষ্ম বললেন— “যজ্ঞের ফল তখনই লাভ হয়, যখন তা যথাবিধি অনুমোদিত ভূমিতে সম্পন্ন হয়; নচেৎ তার পুণ্য সত্যরূপে প্রাপ্ত হয় না। কারণ আপনি এই সমগ্র জগতের—স্থাবর ও জঙ্গম—অধিপতি।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ritual acts like yajña bear true merit only when done within dharma—here, specifically, on properly sanctioned land. Ethical legitimacy (permission, rightful authority) is presented as a necessary condition for spiritual fruit.
Bhīṣma is instructing the listener (a rightful ruler/authority figure in context) that sacrifices require authorized ground; he underscores the listener’s overarching sovereignty over the realm of beings, implying that proper permission and governance uphold the efficacy and righteousness of ritual.