Shloka 9
Adhyāya 64: Dāna-prakāra—Suvarṇa, Pānīya-dāna, Ghṛta-dāna, and Upakaraṇa-dāna
Utility Gifts
इष्टं दत्त च मन्येथा आत्मानं दानकर्मणा | पूजयेथा यायजूकांस्तवाप्यंशो भवेद् यथा,याज्ञिक पुरुषोंको दान करके ही तुम अपनेको यज्ञ और दानके पुण्यका भागी समझ लो। यज्ञ करनेवाले ब्राह्मणोंका सदा सम्मान करो। इससे तुम्हें भी यज्ञका आंशिक फल प्राप्त होगा
iṣṭaṃ datta ca manyethā ātmānaṃ dānakarmaṇā | pūjayethā yāyajūkāṃs tavāpy aṃśo bhaved yathā ||
Consider yourself to have offered the desired sacrifice and to have given gifts through the very act of charity. Always honor those Brahmins who conduct sacrifices; by doing so, you too will obtain a share of the sacrificial merit.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity and honoring those who perform sacred rites are themselves dharmic acts that confer merit; by supporting and respecting yajña-performing Brahmins, one gains a share in the spiritual fruit of the sacrifice.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma (Anushasana Parva), he advises the listener that giving gifts and revering officiating priests is a legitimate way to participate in yajña and partake of its punya, even if one is not personally conducting the ritual.