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 ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Sumanyu, setelah dahulu memberikan kepada Śāṇḍilya timbunan besar makanan yang telah disediakan—makanan dan hidangan masak—menggunung bagaikan bukit, kemudian mencapai syurga.”
भीष्म उवाच
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.