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 |
Sinabi ni Bhishma: Pagkaraan nito, isinagawa nila ang pagbibigay ng lupa (bhūmi-dāna), isang handog na itinuturing na lumilikha ng kabutihang-kaloob na katumbas ng ikaanim na bahagi ng paghahain na iyon. Sa balangkas ng Anushasana Parva, binibigyang-diin na ang yajña ay hindi ganap sa ritwal lamang; ito’y kinokoronahan ng dāna—lalo na ng bhūmi-dāna—kung saan naibabahagi ang bunga ng sakripisyo at nagiging panustos sa lipunan.
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.