Shloka 20
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
नाननुज्ञातभूमिहि यज्ञस्य फलमश्षुते । त्वं हि सर्वस्य जगत: स्थावरस्य चरस्य च
nānanujñātabhūmir hi yajñasya phalam aśnute | tvaṁ hi sarvasya jagataḥ sthāvarasya carasya ca ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “Ang isang handog na sakripisyo ay nagbubunga lamang kapag isinagawa sa lupang may wastong pahintulot at pagsang-ayon; kung hindi, hindi tunay na nakakamit ang kabanalan nito. Sapagkat ikaw ang pinakamataas na may kapangyarihan sa buong daigdig—sa lahat ng di-nakikilos at sa lahat ng gumagalaw—kaya sa iyo sa huli nakasalalay ang makatarungang pahintulot at utos.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ritual acts like yajña bear true merit only when done within dharma—here, specifically, on properly sanctioned land. Ethical legitimacy (permission, rightful authority) is presented as a necessary condition for spiritual fruit.
Bhīṣma is instructing the listener (a rightful ruler/authority figure in context) that sacrifices require authorized ground; he underscores the listener’s overarching sovereignty over the realm of beings, implying that proper permission and governance uphold the efficacy and righteousness of ritual.