Shloka 11
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
पौष्टिका रूपदाश्चैव तथा पापविनाशना: । तस्मात् सर्वप्रदानेभ्यस्तिलदानं विशिष्यते,तिल पौष्टिक पदार्थ है। वे सुन्दर रूप देनेवाले और पापनाशक हैं। इसलिये तिल-दान सब दानोंसे बढ़कर है
bhīṣma uvāca | pauṣṭikā rūpadāś caiva tathā pāpavināśanāḥ | tasmāt sarvapradānebhyaḥ tiladānaṁ viśiṣyate ||
Bhishma said: Sesame seeds are nourishing; they bestow beauty of form and also destroy sin. Therefore, among all acts of giving, the gift of sesame is considered especially superior—praised for its power to strengthen the body, refine one’s condition, and purify moral fault.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that charity is graded by its ethical and spiritual efficacy, and that giving sesame is especially praised because it is believed to nourish, enhance well-being, and purify sin—making it a distinguished form of dāna within dharma.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira about gifts and their fruits, highlighting tiladāna as an exemplary charitable act with strong purificatory and beneficial results.