Shloka 20

येडपि संकीर्णकर्माणो राजानो रौद्रकर्मिण: । तेभ्य: पवित्रमाख्येयं भूमिदानमनुत्तमम्‌,जो राजा कठोर कर्म करनेवाले तथा पापपरायण हैं, उन्हें पापोंसे मुक्त होनेके लिये परम पवित्र एवं सबसे उत्तम भूमिदानका उपदेश देना चाहिये

yed api saṅkīrṇakarmāṇo rājāno raudrakarmiṇaḥ | tebhyaḥ pavitram ākhyeyaṁ bhūmidānam anuttamam ||

Bhishma said: Even to kings whose deeds are mixed and confused, and who are given to harsh and violent actions, one should proclaim the supremely purifying gift of land—the unsurpassed charity—so that they may be released from sin.

येwho (those who)
ये:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootयद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
अपिeven/also
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
संकीर्णकर्माणःof mixed/impure deeds
संकीर्णकर्माणः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootसंकीर्णकर्मन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
राजानःkings
राजानः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootराजन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
रौद्रकर्मिणःengaged in cruel deeds
रौद्रकर्मिणः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootरौद्रकर्मिन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
तेभ्यःto them
तेभ्यः:
Sampradana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Dative, Plural
पवित्रम्a purifier; purifying act
पवित्रम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपवित्र
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
आख्येयम्to be declared/taught
आख्येयम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootआ-ख्या (धातु) → आख्येय (gerundive)
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
भूमिदानम्gift of land
भूमिदानम्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootभूमिदान
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
अनुत्तमम्unsurpassed; supreme
अनुत्तमम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootअनुत्तम
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhishma
K
kings (rājānaḥ)
G
gift of land (bhūmidāna)

Educational Q&A

Even rulers inclined to harshness and sin should be instructed in the supreme purifier—donating land—because such charity is presented as a powerful means of moral purification and release from wrongdoing.

In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma continues his instruction on dharma, especially gifts and expiations. Here he emphasizes that the teaching of bhūmidāna is relevant even for violent or morally compromised kings, as a remedial path toward purification.