Shloka 28
Bhūmi-dānasya Māhātmya
The Pre-eminence of Land-Gift
पुष्प: सुरगणान् वृक्षा: फलैश्वापि तथा पितृन् | छायया चातिथ्थिं तात पूजयन्ति महीरुह:,तात! वृक्षणण अपने फूलोंसे देवताओंकी, फलोंसे पितरोंकी और छायासे अतिथियोंकी पूजा करते हैं
puṣpaiḥ suragaṇān vṛkṣāḥ phalaiś cāpi tathā pitṝn | chāyayā cātithiṃ tāta pūjayanti mahīruhāḥ ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Ó querido, as árvores veneram as hostes dos deuses com suas flores, os ancestrais com seus frutos e os hóspedes com sua sombra. Assim, mesmo sem fala, exemplificam o dharma por meio de um serviço generoso aos outros.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is expressed through selfless giving: like trees that offer flowers, fruits, and shade without discrimination, a person should honor the divine, the ancestors, and guests through generous service and hospitality.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma continues instructing on righteous conduct. Here he uses the example of trees to illustrate how one should naturally support and honor others—gods, ancestors, and guests—through beneficial offerings.