Shloka 24
Adhyāya 64: Dāna-prakāra—Suvarṇa, Pānīya-dāna, Ghṛta-dāna, and Upakaraṇa-dāna
Utility Gifts
यदा परिनिषिच्येत निहितो वै यथाविधि । तदा राजा महायज्ञैर्यजेत बहुदक्षिणै:,जब राजाका विधिपूर्वक राज्याभिषेक हो जाय और वह राज्यासनपर बैठ जाय तब राजा बहुत-सी दक्षिणाओंसे युक्त महान् यज्ञका अनुष्ठान करे
yadā pariniṣicyeta nihito vai yathāvidhi | tadā rājā mahāyajñair yajeta bahu-dakṣiṇaiḥ ||
Bhishma dit : Lorsque le roi a été dûment consacré selon les rites prescrits et installé comme il se doit sur le trône, alors il doit accomplir de grands yajñas, accompagnés d’abondantes dakṣiṇā, les dons offerts aux prêtres officiants. Ainsi, l’autorité royale s’enracine dans le dharma—par l’ordre rituel juste et la générosité—et non par la seule puissance.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s rule should begin with proper consecration and lawful installation, and be sustained by dharmic action—especially the performance of major sacrifices and generous giving (dakṣiṇā). Authority is presented as legitimate when aligned with prescribed rites and public-spirited generosity.
Bhishma is instructing on rājadharma (the duties of kings). He describes the proper sequence after accession: once the king has undergone the formal abhiṣeka and taken the throne according to rule, he should undertake great sacrificial rites and distribute ample gifts to the ritual specialists.