Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 22
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
भ्क्ष्यभोज्यस्य च कृतान् राशय: पर्वतोपमान् | शाण्डिल्याय पुरा दत्त्वा सुमन्युर्दिवमास्थित:
bhakṣyabhojyasya ca kṛtān rāśayaḥ parvatopamān | śāṇḍilyāya purā dattvā sumanyur divam āsthitaḥ ||
भीष्म ने कहा—राजर्षि सुमन्यु ने पूर्वकाल में शाण्डिल्य को भक्ष्य-भोज्य के पर्वत-जैसे विशाल ढेर दान किए; फिर वे स्वर्ग को प्राप्त हुए।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Generous giving—especially the offering of prepared food in abundance to a worthy recipient—creates great religious merit (puṇya) and is presented as a direct cause for attaining heavenly reward.
Bhīṣma cites an illustrative precedent: Sumanyu once donated enormous quantities of prepared foods to the sage Śāṇḍilya, and as a result of that meritorious act he later attained heaven.