Shloka 9
Adhyāya 64: Dāna-prakāra—Suvarṇa, Pānīya-dāna, Ghṛta-dāna, and Upakaraṇa-dāna
Utility Gifts
इष्टं दत्त च मन्येथा आत्मानं दानकर्मणा | पूजयेथा यायजूकांस्तवाप्यंशो भवेद् यथा
iṣṭaṃ datta ca manyethā ātmānaṃ dānakarmaṇā | pūjayethā yāyajūkāṃs tavāpy aṃśo bhaved yathā ||
Ten por cierto que, por el solo acto de dar, has ofrecido el sacrificio deseado y has entregado los dones. Honra siempre a los brahmanes que ofician los sacrificios; así, tú también obtendrás una parte del mérito sacrificial.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Charity and honoring those who perform sacred rites are themselves dharmic acts that confer merit; by supporting and respecting yajña-performing Brahmins, one gains a share in the spiritual fruit of the sacrifice.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma (Anushasana Parva), he advises the listener that giving gifts and revering officiating priests is a legitimate way to participate in yajña and partake of its punya, even if one is not personally conducting the ritual.