Shloka 52
Adhyāya 166: Kṛtaghna-doṣa (कृतघ्नदोषः) — the fault of ingratitude and the limits of expiation
अश्वमेधेन वापीष्टठवा अथवा गोसवेन वा । अग्निष्टोमेन वा सम्यगिह प्रेत्य च पूज्यते,अथवा अभश्वमेधयज्ञ, गोसव नामक यज्ञ या अग्निष्टोम यज्ञके द्वारा भलीभाँति यजन करके वह इहलोक तथा परलोकमें पूजित होता है
aśvamedhena vāpi iṣṭvā athavā gosavena vā | agniṣṭomena vā samyag iha pretya ca pūjyate ||
Bhīṣma said: Whether one performs the Aśvamedha, or the Gosava, or properly completes the Agniṣṭoma, such a sacrificer becomes honored—both in this world and after death. The verse underscores the Mahābhārata’s ethical valuation of disciplined, rule-bound ritual action as a means to social esteem here and auspicious regard in the next life.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Properly performed Vedic sacrifices—such as the Aśvamedha, Gosava, or Agniṣṭoma—bring honor and esteem both in this life and in the hereafter, emphasizing disciplined adherence to dharma in ritual action.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and the means of attaining welfare; here he cites renowned Śrauta rites to illustrate how correct sacrificial performance leads to worldly respect and posthumous honor.