Bhūmi-dānasya Māhātmya
The Pre-eminence of Land-Gift
तडागकृद् वृक्षरोपी इष्टयज्ञश्न यो द्विज: । एते स्वर्गे महीयन्ते ये चान्ये सत्यवादिन:
taḍāgakṛd vṛkṣaropī iṣṭayajñaś ca yo dvijaḥ | ete svarge mahīyante ye cānye satyavādinaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Le “deux fois né” (dvija) qui fait creuser des étangs, qui plante des arbres et qui accomplit dûment les sacrifices est honoré au ciel ; et il en va de même pour d’autres qui sont voués à dire la vérité.»
भीष्म उवाच
Acts that benefit society (building ponds, planting trees), faithful performance of sacred duties (yajña), and unwavering truthfulness are praised as high dharma and are said to bring honor in heaven.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma (Anuśāsana Parva), he lists specific virtuous deeds and declares that such righteous people—especially truth-speakers—are esteemed in svarga.