Shloka 18
गोप्रदान-माहात्म्ये गोलोक-प्रश्नः
Gopradāna-Māhātmya: Inquiry into Goloka
तिलान् श्राद्धे प्रशंसन्ति दानमेतद्ध्यनुत्तमम् । तान् प्रयच्छस्व विप्रेभ्यो विधिदृष्देन कर्मणा,श्राद्धमें विद्वान पुरुष तिलोंकी प्रशंसा करते हैं। यह तिलदान सबसे उत्तम दान है। अतः तुम शास्त्रीय विधिके अनुसार ब्राह्मणोंको तिलदान देते रहो
tilān śrāddhe praśaṃsanti dānam etad hy anuttamam | tān prayacchasva viprebhyo vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā ||
Yama said: “In the śrāddha rite, sesame seeds are especially praised; this gift is indeed unsurpassed. Therefore, give sesame to the Brahmins, performing the act in accordance with the scriptural procedure.”
यम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that giving sesame seeds as part of śrāddha is considered a supreme form of charity, and that such giving should be done in strict accordance with scriptural injunctions—emphasizing both generosity and correct ritual discipline.
Yama, as an authority on dharma and the fate of beings after death, instructs the listener that sesame is especially commended in śrāddha offerings and urges regular gifting of sesame to Brahmins following the proper prescribed method.