Shloka 49
दानफलप्रकरणम् — उपानहदानं, तिलदानं, भूमिदानं, गोदानं, अन्नदानं च
Gifts and Their Stated Results: Footwear, Sesame, Land, Cows, and Food
भूमौ जायन्ति पुरुषा भूमौ निष्ठां व्रजन्ति च | चतुर्विधो हि लोको5यं यो5यं भूमिगुणात्मक:
bhūmau jāyante puruṣā bhūmau niṣṭhāṁ vrajanti ca | caturvidho hi loko 'yaṁ yo 'yaṁ bhūmiguṇātmakaḥ ||
Bhishma said: Human beings are born upon the earth, and upon the earth they also reach their final resting state. Indeed, this world is fourfold in its condition, shaped by the qualities of the earth itself—reminding one that embodied life begins and ends in the same ground, and that one should live with humility and steadiness in dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Life is grounded in the same earth from which one arises and to which one returns; recognizing this shared origin and end encourages humility, detachment from pride, and steadiness in living according to dharma.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma continues his instruction on righteous conduct and right understanding; here he frames human life within a cosmic, earth-centered perspective—birth and death occurring on the same ground—supporting his ethical counsel to the listener.