13.065
तिलादिदानफलम्
The result of giving sesame and similar gifts.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
दह्यमानाय विप्राय यः प्रयच्छत्युपानहौ। यत्फलं तस्य भवति तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१३-६५-१॥
O Grandfather, tell me what result accrues to one who gives sandals to a burning (suffering) brāhmaṇa. (13-65-1)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said;
उपानहौ प्रयच्छेद्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यः समाहितः। मर्दते कण्टकान्सर्वान्विषमान्निस्तरत्यपि ॥ स शत्रूणामुपरि च सन्तिष्ठति युधिष्ठिर ॥१३-६५-२॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, the self-collected one who gives sandals to Brāhmaṇas crushes all thorns, passes over all uneven places, and stands above his enemies. (13-65-2)
यानं चाश्वतरीयुक्तं तस्य शुभ्रं विशां पते। उपतिष्ठति कौन्तेय रूप्यकाञ्चनभूषणम् ॥ शकटं दम्यसंयुक्तं दत्तं भवति चैव हि ॥१३-६५-३॥
O Kaunteya, a vehicle yoked with mules, white and adorned with silver and gold ornaments, approaches him, O lord of people. Likewise, a cart joined with reins, when given, surely accrues (to the giver also). (13-65-3)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
यत्फलं तिलदाने च भूमिदाने च कीर्तितम्। गोप्रदानेऽन्नदाने च भूयस्तद्ब्रूहि कौरव ॥१३-६५-४॥
O Kaurava, tell me what result is stated regarding the giving of sesame, of land, of cows, and of food, and also what is said to be greater. (13-65-4)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
शृणुष्व मम कौन्तेय तिलदानस्य यत्फलम्। निशम्य च यथान्यायं प्रयच्छ कुरुसत्तम ॥१३-६५-५॥
O son of Kunti, hear from me the fruit of giving sesame seeds. Having heard and according to what is right, offer (them), O best of Kurus. (13-65-5)
पितॄणां प्रथमं भोज्यं तिलाः सृष्टाः स्वयम्भुवा। तिलदानेन वै तस्मात्पितृपक्षः प्रमोदते ॥१३-६५-६॥
Sesame seeds were created by Svayambhū as the first food for the ancestors. Therefore, by offering sesame seeds, the ancestors' lineage is delighted. (13-65-6)
माघमासे तिलान्यस्तु ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रयच्छति। सर्वसत्त्वसमाकीर्णं नरकं स न पश्यति ॥१३-६५-७॥
Whoever gives sesame seeds to Brāhmaṇas in the month of Māgha does not see hell crowded with all beings. (13-65-7)
सर्वकामैः स यजते यस्तिलैर्यजते पितॄन्। न चाकामेन दातव्यं तिलश्राद्धं कथञ्चन ॥१३-६५-८॥
He who performs the ancestral sacrifice with sesame seeds offers (it) with all his desires. The sesame rite should not at all be given without desire. (13-65-8)
महर्षेः कश्यपस्यैते गात्रेभ्यः प्रसृतास्तिलाः। ततो दिव्यं गता भावं प्रदानेषु तिलाः प्रभो ॥१३-६५-९॥
O lord, these sesame seeds sprang from the body of the great sage Kaśyapa; therefore, sesame seeds possess a divine nature when offered.
पौष्टिका रूपदाश्चैव तथा पापविनाशनाः। तस्मात्सर्वप्रदानेभ्यस्तिलदानं विशिष्यते ॥१३-६५-१०॥
Sesame is nourishing, confers beauty, and destroys sin; therefore, among all gifts, the giving of sesame is considered superior. (13-65-10)
आपस्तम्बश्च मेधावी शङ्खश्च लिखितस्तथा। महर्षिर्गौतमश्चापि तिलदानैर्दिवं गताः ॥१३-६५-११॥
Āpastamba, Medhāvī, Śaṅkha, Likhita, and the great sage Gautama have all attained heaven by gifts of sesame. (13-65-11)
तिलहोमपरा विप्राः सर्वे संयतमैथुनाः। समा गव्येन हविषा प्रवृत्तिषु च संस्थिताः ॥१३-६५-१२॥
All Brāhmaṇas, devoted to sesame oblations, self-restrained in sexual union, for a year, established in the proper rites with sacrificial offerings of cow’s ghee. (13-65-12)
सर्वेषामेव दानानां तिलदानं परं स्मृतम्। अक्षयं सर्वदानानां तिलदानमिहोच्यते ॥१३-६५-१३॥
Truly among all gifts, the gift of sesame is considered the highest. Among all gifts, the gift of sesame is here said to be imperishable. (13-65-13)
उत्पन्ने च पुरा हव्ये कुशिकर्षिः परन्तप। तिलैरग्नित्रयं हुत्वा प्राप्तवान्गतिमुत्तमाम् ॥१३-६५-१४॥
Long ago, when the oblation was prepared, the sage Kuśika, O scorcher of foes, having offered the three fires with sesame seeds, attained the highest state. (13-65-14)
इति प्रोक्तं कुरुश्रेष्ठ तिलदानमनुत्तमम्। विधानं येन विधिना तिलानामिह शस्यते ॥१३-६५-१५॥
Thus, O best of the Kurus, the unsurpassed gift of sesame has been described. Here the procedure by which the offering of sesame is praised is given. (13-65-15)
अत ऊर्ध्वं निबोधेदं देवानां यष्टुमिच्छताम्। समागमं महाराज ब्रह्मणा वै स्वयम्भुवा ॥१३-६५-१६॥
O great king, now further know this assembly of the gods who wished to offer worship, which was indeed convened by Brahma, the Self-born. (13-65-16)
देवाः समेत्य ब्रह्माणं भूमिभागं यियक्षवः। शुभं देशमयाचन्त यजेम इति पार्थिव ॥१३-६५-१७॥
O king, the gods, having assembled, desiring to perform a sacrifice, requested Brahmā for an auspicious piece of land on earth, saying, "Let us sacrifice." (13-65-17)
देवा ऊचुः॥
The gods said.
भगवंस्त्वं प्रभुर्भूमेः सर्वस्य त्रिदिवस्य च। यजेमहि महाभाग यज्ञं भवदनुज्ञया ॥ नाननुज्ञातभूमिर्हि यज्ञस्य फलमश्नुते ॥१३-६५-१८॥
O revered one, you are the lord of the earth, of all and of the threefold heaven; O greatly fortunate, let us perform the sacrifice by your permission. For land not permitted does not indeed yield the fruit of sacrifice. (13-65-18)
त्वं हि सर्वस्य जगतः स्थावरस्य चरस्य च। प्रभुर्भवसि तस्मात्त्वं समनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥१३-६५-१९॥
You are indeed the master of all the world, both the stationary and the moving; therefore, you alone are worthy to grant permission. (13-65-19)
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said;
ददामि मेदिनीभागं भवद्भ्योऽहं सुरर्षभाः। यस्मिन्देशे करिष्यध्वं यज्ञं काश्यपनन्दनाः ॥१३-६५-२०॥
O best of the gods, I give you a portion of the earth. In whichever place you, descendants of Kaśyapa, will perform sacrifice.
देवा ऊचुः॥
The gods said.
भगवन्कृतकामाः स्मो यक्ष्यामस्त्वाप्तदक्षिणैः। इमं तु देशं मुनयः पर्युपासन्त नित्यदा ॥१३-६५-२१॥
O revered one, our desires have been fulfilled; we shall perform worship with proper offerings. Yet, the sages have always constantly revered this place. (13-65-21)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततोऽगस्त्यश्च कण्वश्च भृगुरत्रिर्वृषाकपिः। असितो देवलश्चैव देवयज्ञमुपागमन् ॥१३-६५-२२॥
Then Agastya, Kanva, Bhrigu, Atri, Vṛṣākapi, Asita, and Devala also came to the divine sacrifice. (13-65-22)
ततो देवा महात्मान ईजिरे यज्ञमच्युत। तथा समापयामासुर्यथाकालं सुरर्षभाः ॥१३-६५-२३॥
Then the gods of great soul performed the sacrifice for Acyuta. In this way, the best among the gods completed it at the proper time. (13-65-23)
त इष्टयज्ञास्त्रिदशा हिमवत्यचलोत्तमे। षष्ठमंशं क्रतोस्तस्य भूमिदानं प्रचक्रिरे ॥१३-६५-२४॥
There, the thirty-three gods who are expert in sacrifices, performed the giving of land as the sixth portion of the sacrifice, in the great Himavat mountain. (13-65-24)
प्रादेशमात्रं भूमेस्तु यो दद्यादनुपस्कृतम्। न सीदति स कृच्छ्रेषु न च दुर्गाण्यवाप्नुते ॥१३-६५-२५॥
Whoever gives an uncultivated piece of land about a hand span in size does not suffer in times of distress and does not encounter calamities. (13-65-25)
शीतवातातपसहां गृहभूमिं सुसंस्कृताम्। प्रदाय सुरलोकस्थः पुण्यान्तेऽपि न चाल्यते ॥१३-६५-२६॥
Even a resident of the world of gods who has given well-prepared house land capable of withstanding cold, wind, and heat is not displaced even at the end of his merit. (13-65-26)
मुदितो वसते प्राज्ञः शक्रेण सह पार्थिव। प्रतिश्रयप्रदाता च सोऽपि स्वर्गे महीयते ॥१३-६५-२७॥
O king, the wise man who rejoices dwells with Indra; and the giver of shelter is also honored in heaven. (13-65-27)
अध्यापककुले जातः श्रोत्रियो नियतेन्द्रियः। गृहे यस्य वसेत्तुष्टः प्रधानं लोकमश्नुते ॥१३-६५-२८॥
He who, content, has living in his house one who was born in the family of a teacher, is versed in the Vedas, and has controlled senses, attains the highest realm. (13-65-28)
तथा गवार्थे शरणं शीतवर्षसहं महत्। आसप्तमं तारयति कुलं भरतसत्तम ॥१३-६५-२९॥
Likewise, O best of the Bharatas, a great refuge that endures cold and rain for the sake of a cow saves (his) family up to the seventh generation. (13-65-29)
क्षेत्रभूमिं ददल्लोके पुत्र श्रियमवाप्नुयात्। रत्नभूमिं प्रदत्त्वा तु कुलवंशं विवर्धयेत् ॥१३-६५-३०॥
A son who gives field-land in this world may obtain prosperity, but by giving jewel-land, he may increase his family lineage. (13-65-30)
न चोषरां न निर्दग्धां महीं दद्यात्कथञ्चन। न श्मशानपरीतां च न च पापनिषेविताम् ॥१३-६५-३१॥
One should, by no means, give land that is barren, completely burnt, surrounded by a cremation ground, or frequented by evil. (13-65-31)
पारक्ये भूमिदेशे तु पितॄणां निर्वपेत्तु यः। तद्भूमिस्वामिपितृभिः श्राद्धकर्म विहन्यते ॥१३-६५-३२॥
If one offers śrāddha for one's ancestors on another's land, the śrāddha-rite is obstructed by the ancestors of the owner of that land. (13-65-32)
तस्मात्क्रीत्वा महीं दद्यात्स्वल्पामपि विचक्षणः। पिण्डः पितृभ्यो दत्तो वै तस्यां भवति शाश्वतः ॥१३-६५-३३॥
Therefore, the wise person, even after acquiring a little land, should offer it; for an offering of rice to the ancestors, when given on such land, becomes everlasting. (13-65-33)
अटवीपर्वताश्चैव नदीतीर्थानि यानि च। सर्वाण्यस्वामिकान्याहुर्न हि तत्र परिग्रहः ॥१३-६५-३४॥
They say that all forests, mountains, and river fords are ownerless, and possession is not permitted there. (13-65-34)
इत्येतद्भूमिदानस्य फलमुक्तं विशां पते। अतः परं तु गोदानं कीर्तयिष्यामि तेऽनघ ॥१३-६५-३५॥
Thus the fruit of land donation has been spoken, O lord of men. Now, I shall proclaim to you the giving of cows, O sinless one. (13-65-35)
गावोऽधिकास्तपस्विभ्यो यस्मात्सर्वेभ्य एव च। तस्मान्महेश्वरो देवस्तपस्ताभिः समास्थितः ॥१३-६५-३६॥
Cows are even superior to all ascetics; therefore, the great lord Maheshvara (Shiva) undertook austerities using them. (13-65-36)
ब्रह्मलोके वसन्त्येताः सोमेन सह भारत। आसां ब्रह्मर्षयः सिद्धाः प्रार्थयन्ति परां गतिम् ॥१३-६५-३७॥
O Bhārata, these women dwell in Brahma's world together with Soma; the Brahmarṣis and siddhas among them pray for the supreme state. (13-65-37)
पयसा हविषा दध्ना शकृताप्यथ चर्मणा। अस्थिभिश्चोपकुर्वन्ति शृङ्गैर्वालैश्च भारत ॥१३-६५-३८॥
O Bhārata, with milk, oblation, curd, even dung, hide, bones, as well as with horns and tails, they perform service.
नासां शीतातपौ स्यातां सदैताः कर्म कुर्वते। न वर्षं विषमं वापि दुःखमासां भवत्युत ॥१३-६५-३९॥
For them, there is neither cold nor heat; these always perform their actions. For them, neither rain, nor any difficulty, nor suffering exists indeed. (13-65-39)
ब्राह्मणैः सहिता यान्ति तस्मात्परतरं पदम्। एकं गोब्राह्मणं तस्मात्प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः ॥१३-६५-४०॥
With Brāhmaṇas united, they attain the highest state; therefore, the wise call cow and Brāhmaṇa one. (13-65-40)
रन्तिदेवस्य यज्ञे ताः पशुत्वेनोपकल्पिताः। ततश्चर्मण्वती राजन्गोचर्मभ्यः प्रवर्तिता ॥१३-६५-४१॥
At Rantideva's sacrifice, those were designated as animals. Afterwards, O king, the river Carmaṇvatī was caused to flow from cow hides. (13-65-41)
पशुत्वाच्च विनिर्मुक्ताः प्रदानायोपकल्पिताः। ता इमा विप्रमुख्येभ्यो यो ददाति महीपते ॥ निस्तरेदापदं कृच्छ्रां विषमस्थोऽपि पार्थिव ॥१३-६५-४२॥
O king, those (cows) that are freed from animal nature and readied for giving—he who gives these to the principal brāhmaṇas, O ruler, would overcome even great difficulty or danger, even if he himself is in trouble. (13-65-42)
गवां सहस्रदः प्रेत्य नरकं न प्रपश्यति। सर्वत्र विजयं चापि लभते मनुजाधिप ॥१३-६५-४३॥
O lord of men, one who gives a thousand cows does not go to hell after death, but everywhere attains victory. (13-65-43)
अमृतं वै गवां क्षीरमित्याह त्रिदशाधिपः। तस्माद्ददाति यो धेनुममृतं स प्रयच्छति ॥१३-६५-४४॥
The milk of cows is indeed nectar, so said the lord of the gods. Therefore, whoever gives a cow gives nectar. (13-65-44)
अग्नीनामव्ययं ह्येतद्धौम्यं वेदविदो विदुः। तस्माद्ददाति यो धेनुं स हौम्यं सम्प्रयच्छति ॥१३-६५-४५॥
This imperishable principle of the fires, known by the Veda-knowers as Dhaumya, whoever gives a cow therefore, he bestows a Soma-sacrificial gift. (13-65-45)
स्वर्गो वै मूर्तिमानेष वृषभं यो गवां पतिम्। विप्रे गुणयुते दद्यात्स वै स्वर्गे महीयते ॥१३-६५-४६॥
This bull, the lord of cows, is truly a personification of heaven; one who gives it to a virtuous brāhmaṇa is indeed honored in heaven. (13-65-46)
प्राणा वै प्राणिनामेते प्रोच्यन्ते भरतर्षभ। तस्माद्ददाति यो धेनुं प्राणान्वै स प्रयच्छति ॥१३-६५-४७॥
O foremost of the Bharatas, these (cows) are said to be the vital breaths of living beings. Therefore, whoever gives a cow truly bestows life itself. (13-65-47)
गावः शरण्या भूतानामिति वेदविदो विदुः। तस्माद्ददाति यो धेनुं शरणं सम्प्रयच्छति ॥१३-६५-४८॥
Those who know the Veda know that cows are a refuge for living beings. Therefore, whoever grants a cow as a refuge bestows protection. (13-65-48)
न वधार्थं प्रदातव्या न कीनाशे न नास्तिके। गोजीविने न दातव्या तथा गौः पुरुषर्षभ ॥१३-६५-४९॥
A cow should not be given for the purpose of slaughter, nor to a destroyer of wealth, nor to an atheist, nor to a cow-eater; likewise, O best of men. (13-65-49)
ददाति तादृशानां वै नरो गाः पापकर्मणाम्। अक्षयं नरकं यातीत्येवमाहुर्मनीषिणः ॥१३-६५-५०॥
The wise ones say that a man who gives cows belonging to such evil-doers will certainly go to endless hell. (13-65-50)
न कृशां पापवत्सां वा वन्ध्यां रोगान्वितां तथा। न व्यङ्गां न परिश्रान्तां दद्याद्गां ब्राह्मणाय वै ॥१३-६५-५१॥
One should not give to a Brāhmaṇa a cow that is emaciated, that has a sinful calf, that is barren, afflicted with disease, deformed, or exhausted. (13-65-51)
दशगोसहस्रदः सम्यक्षक्रेण सह मोदते। अक्षयाँल्लभते लोकान्नरः शतसहस्रदः ॥१३-६५-५२॥
The donor of ten thousand cows rejoices in the company of Indra; the man who gives a hundred thousand cows attains imperishable worlds. (13-65-52)
इत्येतद्गोप्रदानं च तिलदानं च कीर्तितम्। तथा भूमिप्रदानं च शृणुष्वान्ने च भारत ॥१३-६५-५३॥
Thus, the gift of cows and the gift of sesame have been described; likewise, the gift of land. Now, O Bhārata, hear also about food. (13-65-53)
अन्नदानं प्रधानं हि कौन्तेय परिचक्षते। अन्नस्य हि प्रदानेन रन्तिदेवो दिवं गतः ॥१३-६५-५४॥
O son of Kunti, they declare that the gift of food is indeed the foremost. Indeed, by giving food, Rantideva went to heaven. (13-65-54)
श्रान्ताय क्षुधितायान्नं यः प्रयच्छति भूमिप। स्वायम्भुवं महाभागं स पश्यति नराधिप ॥१३-६५-५५॥
O king, whoever gives food to the weary and the hungry, he beholds the greatly fortunate Svayambhu Manu himself, O lord of men. (13-65-55)
न हिरण्यैर्न वासोभिर्नाश्वदानेन भारत। प्राप्नुवन्ति नराः श्रेयो यथेहान्नप्रदाः प्रभो ॥१३-६५-५६॥
O Bhārata, men do not attain the highest good through gold, nor through garments, nor through giving horses, as do the givers of food here, O lord. (13-65-56)
अन्नं वै परमं द्रव्यमन्नं श्रीश्च परा मता। अन्नात्प्राणः प्रभवति तेजो वीर्यं बलं तथा ॥१३-६५-५७॥
Food is truly the supreme substance, and both food and prosperity are regarded as supreme. From food arise life, energy, vigor, and strength. (13-65-57)
सद्भ्यो ददाति यश्चान्नं सदैकाग्रमना नरः। न स दुर्गाण्यवाप्नोतीत्येवमाह पराशरः ॥१३-६५-५८॥
A man who always gives food to the virtuous with a concentrated mind does not encounter difficulties—thus said Parāśara. (13-65-58)
अर्चयित्वा यथान्यायं देवेभ्योऽन्नं निवेदयेत्। यदन्नो हि नरो राजंस्तदन्नास्तस्य देवताः ॥१३-६५-५९॥
After performing worship as prescribed, one should offer food to the gods. O king, the food that a man offers, that very food is (accepted by) his deities. (13-65-59)
कौमुद्यां शुक्लपक्षे तु योऽन्नदानं करोत्युत। स सन्तरति दुर्गाणि प्रेत्य चानन्त्यमश्नुते ॥१३-६५-६०॥
But in the bright fortnight of Kārtika, whoever gives food—he crosses over all difficulties, and after death, attains eternity. (13-65-60)
अभुक्त्वातिथये चान्नं प्रयच्छेद्यः समाहितः। स वै ब्रह्मविदां लोकान्प्राप्नुयाद्भरतर्षभ ॥१३-६५-६१॥
He who, being self-composed, gives food to a guest before eating himself—he indeed attains the worlds of the knowers of Brahman, O bull among the Bharatas. (13-65-61)
सुकृच्छ्रामापदं प्राप्तश्चान्नदः पुरुषस्तरेत्। पापं तरति चैवेह दुष्कृतं चापकर्षति ॥१३-६५-६२॥
A man who has fallen into great hardship or calamity, if he gives food, should be freed from it. He crosses over sin and in this world dispels evil deeds. (13-65-62)
इत्येतदन्नदानस्य तिलदानस्य चैव ह। भूमिदानस्य च फलं गोदानस्य च कीर्तितम् ॥१३-६५-६३॥
Thus, the results of giving food, sesame, land, and cows have been declared. (13-65-63)
