Shloka 12
दानफलप्रकरणम् — उपानहदानं, तिलदानं, भूमिदानं, गोदानं, अन्नदानं च
Gifts and Their Stated Results: Footwear, Sesame, Land, Cows, and Food
नामास्या: प्रियदत्तेति गुहां देव्या: सनातनम् | दानं वाप्यथवा5<दानं नामास्या: प्रथमं प्रियम्
nāmāsyāḥ priyadatteti guhāṃ devyāḥ sanātanam | dānaṃ vāpy athavā ’dānaṃ nāmāsyāḥ prathamaṃ priyam ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: «Esta diosa (la Tierra) tiene un nombre secreto y eterno: “Priyadattā”, “la Dádiva Amada”. Ya sea que uno la entregue (como tierra) o la reciba, el acto es grato tanto al dador como al receptor; por eso éste es su primer nombre y el más querido».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the Earth as a sacred ‘beloved gift’ and highlights the ethical weight of dāna, especially land-giving: giving (and the social act of receiving) is portrayed as inherently valued, implying that rightful transfer and generosity are central to dharma.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira in the Anuśāsana Parva, he explains traditional names and sanctity associated with the Earth, emphasizing her hidden, ancient name ‘Priyadattā’ and connecting it to the cultural-religious importance of gifting or receiving land.