Shloka 14
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
सर्वेषामिति दानानां तिलदानं विशिष्यते । अक्षयं सर्वदानानां तिलदानमिहोच्यते
sarveṣām iti dānānāṃ tiladānaṃ viśiṣyate | akṣayaṃ sarvadānānāṃ tiladānam ihocyate ||
Bhīṣma said: “Among all forms of giving, the gift of sesame is held to be especially excellent. Here it is declared ‘imperishable’—a donation whose merit does not diminish—surpassing other gifts in enduring spiritual fruit.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that tiladāna (donating sesame) is uniquely meritorious among charities, described as akṣaya—yielding enduring, non-diminishing spiritual merit.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on the relative excellence of various gifts, highlighting sesame-donation as especially efficacious.