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 ||
毗湿摩说道:“亲爱的孩子啊,树木以花供奉诸天,以果供奉祖灵,以荫庇礼敬宾客。故而纵无言语,它们亦以慷慨利他的奉献之行,昭示达摩之道。”
भीष्म उवाच
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.