Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 186
Nakṣatra-yoga-anusāreṇa Dāna-vidhiḥ
Gifts prescribed according to lunar mansions and yogas
दमस्त्यागो धृति: सत्यं भवत्यवभूथाय ते । सब प्राणियोंके प्रति अहिंसाका भाव रखना
damo tyāgo dhṛtiḥ satyaṁ bhavaty avabhūthāya te | sarva-prāṇiṣu cāhiṁsā-bhāvaḥ sarvebhyo yathā-yogya-bhāga-pradānaṁ indriya-saṁyamaḥ tyāgaḥ dhairyaṁ satyam—ete guṇās te yajñānte kriyamāṇasya avabhūtha-snānasya phalaṁ dāsyanti ||
毗湿摩说道：“自制、舍离、坚忍与真实，将成为你真正的果报——胜过祭祀终了之浴阿婆婆利他（avabhṛtha）所求之果。对一切众生怀不害之心（ahimsa），按其相称而分与各自应得之分，调御诸根，行施与放下，忍耐而坚定，言语真实——这些德行本身，便是人们在仪式终浴时所追求的功德。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that ethical virtues—non-violence toward all beings, giving each their due, sense-control, renunciation, patience/fortitude, and truth—are the real ‘fruit’ of ritual acts. Inner discipline and moral conduct are presented as equal to (or the true completion of) the external sacrificial conclusion.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. Here he reframes sacrificial merit: instead of focusing on the external avabhūtha bath at a yajña’s end, he emphasizes that the lasting completion of religious life is achieved through sustained moral qualities and compassionate conduct.