13.065
tilādidāna-phalam
The result of giving sesame and similar gifts.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
dahyamānāya viprāya yaḥ prayacchaty upānahau। yatphalaṃ tasya bhavati tan me brūhi pitāmaha ॥13-65-1॥
O Grandfather, tell me what result accrues to one who gives sandals to a burning (suffering) brāhmaṇa. (13-65-1)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said;
upānahau prayaccheddyo brāhmaṇebhyaḥ samāhitaḥ। mardate kaṇṭakān sarvān viṣamān nistaratya pi॥ sa śatrūṇām upari ca santiṣṭhati yudhiṣṭhira॥13-65-2॥
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)
yānaṃ cāśvatarī-yuktaṃ tasya śubhraṃ viśāṃ pate. upatiṣṭhati kaunteya rūpya-kāñcana-bhūṣaṇam ॥ śakaṭaṃ damya-saṃyuktaṃ dattaṃ bhavati caiva hi ॥13-65-3॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
yat phalaṃ tiladāne ca bhūmidāne ca kīrtitam। gopradāne'nnadāne ca bhūyas tad brūhi kaurava ॥13-65-4॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
śṛṇuṣva mama kaunteya tiladānasya yatphalam | niśamya ca yathānyāyaṃ prayaccha kurusattama ॥13-65-5॥
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)
pitṝṇāṁ prathamaṁ bhojyaṁ tilāḥ sṛṣṭāḥ svayambhuvā। tiladānena vai tasmātpitṛpakṣaḥ pramodate ॥13-65-6॥
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)
māghamāse tilāny astu brāhmaṇebhyaḥ prayacchati। sarvasattvasamākīrṇaṃ narakaṃ sa na paśyati॥13-65-7॥
Whoever gives sesame seeds to Brāhmaṇas in the month of Māgha does not see hell crowded with all beings. (13-65-7)
sarvakāmaiḥ sa yajate yaḥ tilair yajate pitṝn। na cākāmena dātavyaṃ tilaśrāddhaṃ kathañcana ॥13-65-8॥
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)
maharṣeḥ kaśyapasyaite gātrebhyaḥ prasṛtāstilāḥ। tato divyaṃ gatā bhāvaṃ pradāneṣu tilāḥ prabho ॥13-65-9॥
O lord, these sesame seeds sprang from the body of the great sage Kaśyapa; therefore, sesame seeds possess a divine nature when offered.
pauṣṭikā rūpadāś caiva tathā pāpavināśanāḥ। tasmāt sarvapradānebhyaḥ tiladānaṃ viśiṣyate ॥13-65-10॥
Sesame is nourishing, confers beauty, and destroys sin; therefore, among all gifts, the giving of sesame is considered superior. (13-65-10)
āpastambaś ca medhāvī śaṅkhaś ca likhitas tathā। maharṣir gautamaś cāpi tiladānair divaṃ gatāḥ ॥13-65-11॥
Āpastamba, Medhāvī, Śaṅkha, Likhita, and the great sage Gautama have all attained heaven by gifts of sesame. (13-65-11)
tilahomaparā viprāḥ sarve saṃyatamaithunāḥ| samā gavvena haviṣā pravṛttiṣu ca saṃsthitāḥ ॥13-65-12॥
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)
sarveṣāmeva dānānāṃ tiladānaṃ paraṃ smṛtam। akṣayaṃ sarvadānānāṃ tiladānamihocyate ॥13-65-13॥
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)
utpanne ca purā havye kuśikarṣiḥ parantapa | tilair agni-trayaṃ hutvā prāptavān gatim uttamām ||13-65-14||
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)
iti proktaṃ kuruśreṣṭha tiladānam-anuttamam। vidhānaṃ yena vidhinā tilānām-iha śasyate ॥13-65-15॥
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)
ata ūrdhvaṁ nibodhedaṁ devānāṁ yaṣṭum icchatām। samāgamaṁ mahārāja brahmaṇā vai svayambhuvā॥13-65-16॥
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)
devāḥ sametya brahmāṇaṁ bhūmibhāgaṁ yiyakṣavaḥ। śubhaṁ deśam ayācanta yajema iti pārthiva ॥13-65-17॥
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)
devā ūcuḥ॥
The gods said.
bhagavaṁs tvaṁ prabhur bhūmeḥ sarvasya tridivasya ca। yajema hi mahābhāga yajñaṁ bhavad-anujñayā॥ nānanujñāta-bhūmir hi yajñasya phalam aśnute॥13-65-18॥
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)
tvaṃ hi sarvasya jagataḥ sthāvarasya carasya ca। prabhuḥ bhavasi tasmāt tvaṃ samanugñātum arhasi॥13-65-19॥
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)
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said;
dadāmi medinībhāgaṃ bhavadbhyo'ham surarṣabhāḥ। yasmin deśe kariṣyadhvaṃ yajñaṃ kāśyapanandanāḥ॥13-65-20॥
O best of the gods, I give you a portion of the earth. In whichever place you, descendants of Kaśyapa, will perform sacrifice.
devā ūcuḥ॥
The gods said.
bhagavan-kṛta-kāmāḥ smo yakṣyāmas tv āpta-dakṣiṇaiḥ. imaṃ tu deśaṃ munayaḥ paryupāsanta nityadā ॥13-65-21॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
tato'gastyaś ca kaṇvaś ca bhṛgur atrir vṛṣākapiḥ। asito devalaś caiva devayajñam upāgaman ॥13-65-22॥
Then Agastya, Kanva, Bhrigu, Atri, Vṛṣākapi, Asita, and Devala also came to the divine sacrifice. (13-65-22)
tato devā mahātmāna ījire yajñam acyuta। tathā samāpayāmāsur yathā-kālaṃ surarṣabhāḥ॥13-65-23॥
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)
ta iṣṭayajñās tridaśā himavaty acalottame। ṣaṣṭham aṁśaṁ kratos tasya bhūmidānaṁ pracakrire ॥13-65-24॥
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)
prādeśamātraṃ bhūmes tu yo dadyād anupaskṛtam. na sīdati sa kṛcchreṣu na ca durgāṇy avāpnute ॥13-65-25॥
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)
śītavātātapasahāṃ gṛhabhūmiṃ susaṃskṛtām। pradāya suralokasthaḥ puṇyānte'pi na cālyate ॥13-65-26॥
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)
mudito vasate prājñaḥ śakreṇa saha pārthiva। pratiśrayapradātā ca so'pi svarge mahīyate॥13-65-27॥
O king, the wise man who rejoices dwells with Indra; and the giver of shelter is also honored in heaven. (13-65-27)
adhyāpakakule jātaḥ śrotriyo niyatendriyaḥ। gṛhe yasya vasettuṣṭaḥ pradhānaṃ lokamaśnute॥13-65-28॥
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)
tathā gavā-arthe śaraṇaṃ śīta-varṣa-sahaṃ mahat। ā-saptamam tārayati kulaṃ bharata-sattama ॥13-65-29॥
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)
kṣetrabhūmiṃ dadalloke putra śriyamavāpnuyāt। ratnabhūmiṃ pradattvā tu kulavaṃśaṃ vivardhayet॥13-65-30॥
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)
na coṣarāṃ na nirdagdhāṃ mahīṃ dadyāt kathañcana। na śmaśānaparītāṃ ca na ca pāpaniṣevitām ॥13-65-31॥
One should, by no means, give land that is barren, completely burnt, surrounded by a cremation ground, or frequented by evil. (13-65-31)
pārakye bhūmideśe tu pitṝṇāṃ nirvapettu yaḥ। tadbhūmisvāmipitṛbhiḥ śrāddhakarma vihanyate ॥13-65-32॥
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)
tasmātkṛtvā mahīṁ dadyātsvalpāmapi vicakṣaṇaḥ. piṇḍaḥ pitṛbhyo datto vai tasyāṁ bhavati śāśvataḥ ॥13-65-33॥
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)
aṭavīparvatāścaiva nadītīrthāni yāni ca। sarvāṇyasvāmikānyāhurna hi tatra parigrahaḥ ॥13-65-34॥
They say that all forests, mountains, and river fords are ownerless, and possession is not permitted there. (13-65-34)
ity etad bhūmi-dānasya phalam uktaṁ viśāṁ pate. ataḥ paraṁ tu go-dānaṁ kīrtayiṣyāmi te 'nagha ॥13-65-35॥
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)
gāvo'dhikāstapasvibhyo yasmātsarvebhya eva ca। tasmānmaheśvaro devastapastābhiḥ samāsthitaḥ ॥13-65-36॥
Cows are even superior to all ascetics; therefore, the great lord Maheshvara (Shiva) undertook austerities using them. (13-65-36)
brahmaloke vasanty etāḥ somena saha bhārata. āsāṃ brahmarṣayaḥ siddhāḥ prārthayanti parāṃ gatim ॥13-65-37॥
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)
payasā haviṣā dadhnā śakṛdāpyatha carmaṇā| asthibhiścopakurvanti śṛṅgairvālaiśca bhārata ॥13-65-38॥
O Bhārata, with milk, oblation, curd, even dung, hide, bones, as well as with horns and tails, they perform service.
nāsāṃ śītātapau syātāṃ sadaitāḥ karma kurvate। na varṣaṃ viṣamaṃ vāpi duḥkham āsāṃ bhavaty uta॥13-65-39॥
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)
brāhmaṇaiḥ sahitā yānti tasmāt parataraṃ padam। ekaṃ gobrāhmaṇaṃ tasmāt pravadanti manīṣiṇaḥ ॥13-65-40॥
With Brāhmaṇas united, they attain the highest state; therefore, the wise call cow and Brāhmaṇa one. (13-65-40)
rantidevasya yajñe tāḥ paśutvenopakalpitāḥ। tataś carmaṇvatī rājan go-carmabhyaḥ pravartitā ॥13-65-41॥
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)
paśutvācca vinirmuktāḥ pradānāyopakalpitāḥ। tā imā vipramukhyebhyo yo dadāti mahīpate ॥ nistaredāpadaṃ kṛcchrāṃ viṣamastho'pi pārthiva ॥13-65-42॥
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)
gavāṃ sahasradaḥ pretya narakaṃ na prapaśyati. sarvatra vijayaṃ cāpi labhate manujādhipa ॥13-65-43॥
O lord of men, one who gives a thousand cows does not go to hell after death, but everywhere attains victory. (13-65-43)
amṛtaṃ vai gavāṃ kṣīram ity āha tridaśādhipaḥ। tasmād dadāti yo dhenum amṛtaṃ sa prayacchati॥13-65-44॥
The milk of cows is indeed nectar, so said the lord of the gods. Therefore, whoever gives a cow gives nectar. (13-65-44)
agnīnām avyayaṃ hy etad dhaumyaṃ vedavido viduḥ। tasmād dadāti yo dhenuṃ sa haumyaṃ samprayacchati ॥13-65-45॥
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)
svargo vai mūrtimāneṣa vṛṣabhaṃ yo gavāṃ patim। vipre guṇayute dadyāt sa vai svarge mahīyate॥13-65-46॥
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)
prāṇā vai prāṇināmete procyante bharatarṣabha। tasmāddadāti yo dhenuṃ prāṇānvai sa prayacchati ॥13-65-47॥
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)
gāvaḥ śaraṇyā bhūtānām iti vedavido viduḥ। tasmād dadāti yaḥ dhenum śaraṇam samprayacchati ॥13-65-48॥
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)
na vadhārthaṃ pradātavyā na kīnāśe na nāstike। gojīvine na dātavyā tathā gauḥ puruṣarṣabha ॥13-65-49॥
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)
dadāti tādṛśānāṃ vai naro gāḥ pāpakarmaṇām। akṣayaṃ narakaṃ yātītyevamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ ॥13-65-50॥
The wise ones say that a man who gives cows belonging to such evil-doers will certainly go to endless hell. (13-65-50)
na kṛśāṃ pāpavatsāṃ vā vandhyāṃ rogānvitāṃ tathā। na vyaṅgāṃ na pariśrāntāṃ dadyādgāṃ brāhmaṇāya vai॥13-65-51॥
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)
daśagosahasradaḥ samyak-śakreṇa saha modate। akṣayāṇ labhate lokān naraḥ śatasahasradaḥ॥13-65-52॥
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)
ity etad go-pradānaṃ ca tila-dānaṃ ca kīrtitam। tathā bhūmi-pradānaṃ ca śṛṇu ṣva-anne ca bhārata॥13-65-53॥
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)
annadānaṃ pradhānaṃ hi kaunteya paricakṣate। annasya hi pradānena rantidevo divaṃ gataḥ ॥13-65-54॥
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)
śrāntāya kṣudhitàyāannaṃ yaḥ prayacchati bhūmipa। svāyambhuvaṃ mahābhāgaṃ sa paśyati narādhipa ॥13-65-55॥
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)
na hiraṇyair na vāsobhir nāśvadānena bhārata। prāpnuvanti narāḥ śreyo yathehānnapradāḥ prabho ॥13-65-56॥
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)
annaṁ vai paramaṁ dravyam annaṁ śrīś ca parā matā। annāt prāṇaḥ prabhavati tejo vīryaṁ balaṁ tathā॥13-65-57॥
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)
sadbhyo dadāti yaścānnaṁ sadaikāgramanā naraḥ। na sa durgāṇyavāpnōtītyevamāha parāśaraḥ॥13-65-58॥
A man who always gives food to the virtuous with a concentrated mind does not encounter difficulties—thus said Parāśara. (13-65-58)
arcayitvā yathānyāyaṁ devebhyo'nnaṁ nivedayet। yadanno hi naro rājan tadannāstasya devatāḥ ॥13-65-59॥
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)
kaumudyāṁ śuklapakṣe tu yo'nnadānaṁ karotyuta। sa santarati durgāṇi pretya cānantyamaśnute॥13-65-60॥
But in the bright fortnight of Kārtika, whoever gives food—he crosses over all difficulties, and after death, attains eternity. (13-65-60)
abhuktvātithaye cānnaṃ prayacchedyaḥ samāhitaḥ। sa vai brahmavidāṃ lokān prāpnuyād bharatarṣabha॥13-65-61॥
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)
sukṛcchrām-āpadaṁ prāptaś cān-nadaḥ puruṣas tareta। pāpaṁ tarati caiva iha duṣkṛtaṁ ca apakarṣati॥13-65-62॥
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)
ity etad annadānasya tiladānasya ca eva ha। bhūmidānasya ca phalaṃ godānasya ca kīrtitam॥13-65-63॥
Thus, the results of giving food, sesame, land, and cows have been declared. (13-65-63)
