Shloka 11
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
पौष्टिका रूपदाश्चैव तथा पापविनाशना: । तस्मात् सर्वप्रदानेभ्यस्तिलदानं विशिष्यते,तिल पौष्टिक पदार्थ है। वे सुन्दर रूप देनेवाले और पापनाशक हैं। इसलिये तिल-दान सब दानोंसे बढ़कर है
bhīṣma uvāca | pauṣṭikā rūpadāś caiva tathā pāpavināśanāḥ | tasmāt sarvapradānebhyaḥ tiladānaṁ viśiṣyate ||
Bhīṣma dit : Le sésame est nourrissant ; il confère la beauté du corps et détruit aussi le péché. C’est pourquoi, parmi toutes les aumônes, le don de sésame est tenu pour particulièrement éminent, loué pour sa puissance à fortifier le corps, affiner la condition et purifier la faute morale.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that charity is graded by its ethical and spiritual efficacy, and that giving sesame is especially praised because it is believed to nourish, enhance well-being, and purify sin—making it a distinguished form of dāna within dharma.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira about gifts and their fruits, highlighting tiladāna as an exemplary charitable act with strong purificatory and beneficial results.