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 ||
بھیشم نے کہا— “یَجْن کا پھل اسی وقت حاصل ہوتا ہے جب وہ باقاعدہ اجازت یافتہ زمین پر کیا جائے؛ ورنہ اس کی نیکی حقیقتاً حاصل نہیں ہوتی۔ کیونکہ آپ ہی اس سارے جہان—ساکن و متحرک—کے حاکمِ اعلیٰ ہیں۔”
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.