Shloka 256
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
षष्ठमंशं क्रतोस्तस्य भूमिदान प्रचक्रिरे । पर्वतराज हिमालयके पास यज्ञ पूरा करके देवताओंने भूमिदान भी किया, जो उस यज्ञके छठे भागके बराबर पुण्यका जनक था
ṣaṣṭham aṁśaṁ kratos tasya bhūmidānaṁ pracakrire |
ਯਜ्ञ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਭੂਮਿਦਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ; ਇਹ ਦਾਨ ਉਸ ਯਜ्ञ ਦੇ ਪੁੰਨ ਦੇ ਛੇਵੇਂ ਹਿੱਸੇ ਦੇ ਬਰਾਬਰ ਫਲਦਾਇਕ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the ethical completion of sacrifice lies in generosity: bhūmi-dāna is presented as a high form of dāna whose merit is equated with a significant portion (one-sixth) of the yajña’s fruit, emphasizing redistribution and public welfare as integral to dharma.
Bhīṣma describes a sequence following a sacrifice: after the yajña, the performers undertake a land-gift. The statement quantifies its spiritual value, framing the donation as a major component of the sacrificial outcome.