Critical Edition
युधिष्ठिर उवाच इदं देयमिदं देयमितीयं श्रुतिचोदना बहुदेयाश्च राजानः किं स्विद्देयमनुत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said People accept with respect the sayings of the Shrutis which say-This is to be given. This other thing is to be given! As regards kings, again, they make gifts of various things to various men. What, however, O grandfather is the best or foremost of all gifts?
भीष्म उवाच अति दानानि सर्वाणि पृथिवीदानमुच्यते अचला ह्यक्षया भूमिर्दोग्ध्री कामाननुत्तमान्
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Of all kinds of gifts, the gift of earth is said to be the first. earth is immovable and indestructible. It is capable of giving to him who possesses it all the best things upon which he may like to have.
दोग्ध्री वासांसि रत्नानि पशून्व्रीहियवांस्तथा भूमिदः सर्वभूतेषु शाश्वतीरेधते समाः
M. N. Dutt: It gives dresses and vestments, jewels and gems, animals, paddy, and barley. Amongst all creatures, the giver of earth grows rich for ever and ever.
यावद्भूमेरायुरिह तावद्भूमिद एधते न भूमिदानादस्तीह परं किंचिद्युधिष्ठिर
M. N. Dutt: As long as the earth lasts, so long does the giver thereof grow rich. There is no gift that is higher, O Yudhishthira, than the gift of earth.
अप्यल्पं प्रददुः पूर्वे पृथिव्या इति नः श्रुतम् भूमिमेते ददुः सर्वे ये भूमिं भुञ्जते जनाः
M. N. Dutt: we have heard that all men have given a little quantity of earth. All men have made gifts of earth, hence all men enjoy a little of earth.
स्वकर्मैवोपजीवन्ति नरा इह परत्र च भूमिर्भूतिर्महादेवी दातारं कुरुते प्रियम्
M. N. Dutt: Whether in this or in the next world, all creatures live subject to their own deeds. Earth is Prosperity's self. She is a powerful goddess. She makes him her lord who makes gifts of her in this life to her people.
य एतां दक्षिणां दद्यादक्षयां पृथिवीपतिः पुनर्नरत्वं संप्राप्य भवेत्स पृथिवीपतिः
M. N. Dutt: That person, O best of kings, who gives away earth, which is indestructible, as gift, is born in next life as a man and becomes also a lord of Earth.
यथा दानं तथा भोग इति धर्मेषु निश्चयः संग्रामे वा तनुं जह्याद्दद्याद्वा पृथिवीमिमाम्
M. N. Dutt: The quantity of one's enjoyment in this life is equal to one's gifts in a pristine life. This is the conclusion pointed out by the scriptures. For a Kshatriya should either give away the Earth in gift or renounce his life in battle.
इत्येतां क्षत्रबन्धूनां वदन्ति परमाशिषम् पुनाति दत्ता पृथिवी दातारमिति शुश्रुम
M. N. Dutt: This is the highest source of prosperity to Kshatriyas. We have heard that earth, when given away, cleanses and sanctifies the giver.
अपि पापसमाचारं ब्रह्मघ्नमपि वानृतम् सैव पापं पावयति सैव पापात्प्रमोचयेत्
M. N. Dutt: The man who is of sinful conduct who is guilty of Brahmanicide and of falsehood, is purified by a gift of earth. Indeed, such a gift rescues even such a sinner from all his sins.
अपि पापकृतां राज्ञां प्रतिगृह्णन्ति साधवः पृथिवीं नान्यदिच्छन्ति पावनं जननी यथा
M. N. Dutt: The virtuous accept gifts of earth only and no other thing from sinful kings. Like one's mother, earth, when given away, purifies the giver and the taker.
नामास्याः प्रियदत्तेति गुह्यं देव्याः सनातनम् दानं वाप्यथ वा ज्ञानं नाम्नोऽस्याः परमं प्रियम् तस्मात्प्राप्यैव पृथिवीं दद्याद्विप्राय पार्थिवः
M. N. Dutt: This is an eternal and secret name of earth. viz., Priyadatta. Given away or accepted in gift, the name that is dear to her is Priyadatta.
Supplementary Passages:
13.61.12 After 12cd, N (D4 after 11) ins.: *338 य एतां विदुषे दद्यात्पृथिवीं पृथिवीपतिः पृथिव्यामेतदिष्टं स राज्याद्राज्यमिति व्रजेत् पुनश्च जननं प्राप्य राजैव स्यान्न संशयः
नाभूमिपतिना भूमिरधिष्ठेया कथंचन न वा पात्रेण वा गूहेदन्तर्धानेन वा चरेत् ये चान्ये भूमिमिच्छेयुः कुर्युरेवमसंशयम्
AI Translation: The earth should never be ruled by a king. Nor should it be hidden by a vessel or by invisibility. And those who desire the earth should certainly do so.
यः साधोर्भूमिमादत्ते न भूमिं विन्दते तु सः भूमिं तु दत्त्वा साधुभ्यो विन्दते भूमिमेव हि प्रेत्येह च स धर्मात्मा संप्राप्नोति महद्यशः
AI Translation: One who takes the land of the virtuous does not obtain land. But one who gives land to the virtuous obtains land. Here and hereafter, that virtuous one attains great fame.
Supplementary Passages:
13.61.14 After 14, D10 S ins.: *339 एकाहारकरीं दत्त्वा षष्टिसाहस्रमूर्ध्वगः तावत्याहरणे हृत्वा नरकं द्विगुणोत्तरम्
यस्य विप्रानुशासन्ति साधोर्भूमिं सदैव हि न तस्य शत्रवो राजन्प्रशासन्ति वसुंधराम्
M. N. Dutt: That pious king about whom the Brahmanas say——We live on earth given to us by him, is such that his very enemies cannot utter the least reproach about his kingdom.
यत्किंचित्पुरुषः पापं कुरुते वृत्तिकर्शितः अपि गोचर्ममात्रेण भूमिदानेन पूयते
M. N. Dutt: Whatever sins a man commits from want of the means of livelihood, are all washed off by gift of only so much earth as is covered by a cowhide.
Supplementary Passages:
13.61.16 After 16, D10 ins.: *340 दशहस्तेन वंशेन दशवंशान्समन्ततः पञ्चहस्ताधिकं दद्यादेतद्गोचर्म उच्यते
येऽपि संकीर्णकर्माणो राजानो रौद्रकर्मिणः तेभ्यः पवित्रमाख्येयं भूमिदानमनुत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: Those kings who are mean in their acts or are of fierce deeds, should be taught that gift of earth is highly purifying and is at the same time the highest gift.
अल्पान्तरमिदं शश्वत्पुराणा मेनिरे जनाः यो यजेदश्वमेधेन दद्याद्वा साधवे महीम्
M. N. Dutt: The ancients thought that there is always very little difference between the man who celebrates a Horse-Sacrifice and him who makes a gift of earth to one who is righteous.
अपि चेत्सुकृतं कृत्वा शङ्केरन्नपि पण्डिताः अशक्यमेकमेवैतद्भूमिदानमनुत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: The learned doubt the acquision of merit which all other pious acts yield. The only act about which they are dead certain, is the of earth which, indeed, is the foremost of all gifts.
सुवर्णं रजतं वस्त्रं मणिमुक्तावसूनि च सर्वमेतन्महाप्राज्ञ ददाति वसुधां ददत्
M. N. Dutt: The wise man who makes gifts of earth, gives away all these, viz, gold, silver cloth, gems and pearls and precious stones.
तपो यज्ञः श्रुतं शीलमलोभः सत्यसंधता गुरुदैवतपूजा च नातिवर्तन्ति भूमिदम्
M. N. Dutt: Penances, sacrifice, Vedic learning, good conduct, absence of cupidity, firmness in truth, adoration of elders, preceptors, and the deities, all these live in him who makes a gift of earth.
भर्तुर्निःश्रेयसे युक्तास्त्यक्तात्मानो रणे हताः ब्रह्मलोकगताः सिद्धा नातिक्रामन्ति भूमिदम्
M. N. Dutt: They who ascend to the region of Brahman by renouncing their lives in battle after having fought without any consideration for themselves for securing the behoof of their masters, even they are unable to go above the merit of those who make gifts of earth.
यथा जनित्री क्षीरेण स्वपुत्रं भरते सदा अनुगृह्णाति दातारं तथा सर्वरसैर्मही
M. N. Dutt: As the mother always nourishes her own child with milk from her breast, so does earth please with all the tastes the person that makes a gift of earth.
मृत्योर्वै किंकरो दण्डस्तापो वह्नेः सुदारुणः घोराश्च वारुणाः पाशा नोपसर्पन्ति भूमिदम्
M. N. Dutt: Mrityu, Vaikinkara, Danda, Tama, Fire, who is highly fierce, and all heinous and terrible sins are incapable of touching the person who makes a gift of earth.
पितॄंश्च पितृलोकस्थान्देवलोके च देवताः संतर्पयति शान्तात्मा यो ददाति वसुंधराम्
M. N. Dutt: That man of tranquil soul who makes a gift of earth pleases (by that act) the Departed Manes living in their region and the deities also hailing from the region that is theirs.
कृशाय म्रियमाणाय वृत्तिम्लानाय सीदते भूमिं वृत्तिकरीं दत्त्वा सत्री भवति मानवः
M. N. Dutt: The man who makes a gift of earth to one who is weak and cheerless and destitute of the mcans of life and famishing with weakness, and who thereby supplies one with the means of sustenance, deserves the honour and merit of celebrating a sacrifice.
यथा धावति गौर्वत्सं क्षीरमभ्युत्सृजन्त्युत एवमेव महाभाग भूमिर्भवति भूमिदम्
M. N. Dutt: As an affectionate cow runs towards her half, with full udders dropping milk, similarly the highly blessed Earth, runs towards the person who makes a gift of earth.
हलकृष्टां महीं दत्त्वा सबीजां सफलामपि उदीर्णं वापि शरणं तथा भवति कामदः
M. N. Dutt: That man who makes to a Brahmana a gift of earth which has been titled, or sown with seeds, or which contains standing crops, or a palace well furnished with every necessary article, succeeds in becoming the accomplisher of the wishes of everybody.
ब्राह्मणं वृत्तसंपन्नमाहिताग्निं शुचिव्रतम् नरः प्रतिग्राह्य महीं न याति यमसादनम्
M. N. Dutt: The man who makes a Brahmana having the means of life, possessing a domestic fire and of pure vows and practices, accept a gift of earth, never falls into any danger or distress.
यथा चन्द्रमसो वृद्धिरहन्यहनि जायते तथा भूमिकृतं दानं सस्ये सस्ये विवर्धते
M. N. Dutt: As the moon increases day by day, so the merit of a gift of earth increases every time such earth produces crops.
अत्र गाथा भूमिगीताः कीर्तयन्ति पुराविदः याः श्रुत्वा जामदग्न्येन दत्ता भूः काश्यपाय वै
M. N. Dutt: Those persons conversant with ancient history sing this verse regarding the gift of earth. Heaving that verse Jamadagni's son (Rama) gave away the whole Earth to Kashyapa.
मामेवादत्त मां दत्त मां दत्त्वा मामवाप्स्यथ अस्मिँल्लोके परे चैव ततश्चाजनने पुनः
M. N. Dutt: The verse to which I refer is this. Receive me in gift. Give me away. By giving me away, you (O giver) will obtain me again! That which is given away in this life is reacquired in the next.
य इमां व्याहृतिं वेद ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मसंश्रितः श्राद्धस्य हूयमानस्य ब्रह्मभूयं स गच्छति
M. N. Dutt: That Brahmana who recites this great saying of the Vedas at the time of a Shraddha get the highest reward.
कृत्यानामभिशस्तानां दुरिष्टशमनं महत् प्रायश्चित्तमहं कृत्वा पुनात्युभयतो दश
M. N. Dutt: A gift of earth is a great expiation for the sin of those powerful men who perform Atharvan rites for injuring others. Indeed, by making a gift of earth one rescues ten generations of his paternal and maternal families.
पुनाति य इदं वेद वेद चाहं तथैव च प्रकृतिः सर्वभूतानां भूमिर्वै शाश्वती मता
M. N. Dutt: That person who knows this Vedic saying about the merits of a gift of earth, succeeds in rescuing ten generations of both his paternal and maternal families. Earth is the original source of all creatures. It has been said that the god of fire is the presiding genius of earth.
अभिषिच्यैव नृपतिं श्रावयेदिममागमम् यथा श्रुत्वा महीं दद्यान्नादद्यात्साधुतश्च ताम्
M. N. Dutt: After the coronation ceremony has been performed of a king, this Vedic saying should be recited to him, so that he may make gifts of earth and may never take away earth from a pious person.
सोऽयं कृत्स्नो ब्राह्मणार्थो राजार्थश्चाप्यसंशयम् राजा हि धर्मकुशलः प्रथमं भूतिलक्षणम्
M. N. Dutt: Forsooth, the entire wealth owned by the king belongs to the Brahmanas. A king knowing well the science of duty and morality the first requisite of the kingdom's prosperity.
अथ येषामधर्मज्ञो राजा भवति नास्तिकः न ते सुखं प्रबुध्यन्ते न सुखं प्रस्वपन्ति च
M. N. Dutt: Those people whose king is unrighteous and atheistic in conduct and belief, can never be happy. Such people can never sleep or wake in peace.
सदा भवन्ति चोद्विग्नास्तस्य दुश्चरितैर्नराः योगक्षेमा हि बहवो राष्ट्रं नास्याविशन्ति तत्
AI Translation: Those men are always distressed by his evil conduct. Many yogas and kshemas do not enter that kingdom.
अथ येषां पुनः प्राज्ञो राजा भवति धार्मिकः सुखं ते प्रतिबुध्यन्ते सुसुखं प्रस्वपन्ति च
M. N. Dutt: Those people whose king is unrighteous and atheistic in conduct and belief, can never be happy. Such people can never sleep or wake in peace.
तस्य राज्ञः शुभैरार्यैः कर्मभिर्निर्वृताः प्रजाः योगक्षेमेण वृष्ट्या च विवर्धन्ते स्वकर्मभिः
M. N. Dutt: By the blessed and righteous acts of such a king, his subjects, become shorn of anxiety. The subjects, restrained from wicked deeds, grow in prosperity through their own conduct. Capable of keeping what they have, they go on making new acquisitions.
स कुलीनः स पुरुषः स बन्धुः स च पुण्यकृत् स दाता स च विक्रान्तो यो ददाति वसुंधराम्
M. N. Dutt: That king who makes gifts of earth, is considered as wellborn. He is considered as a man. He is a friend. He is righteous in his acts. le is a giver. He is considered as possessing prowess.
आदित्या इव दीप्यन्ते तेजसा भुवि मानवाः ददन्ति वसुधां स्फीतां ये वेदविदुषि द्विजे
M. N. Dutt: Those men who make gifts of ample and fertile earth to Brahmanas knowing the Vedas, always shine in the world, on account of their energy, like so many suns.
यथा बीजानि रोहन्ति प्रकीर्णानि महीतले तथा कामाः प्ररोहन्ति भूमिदानसमार्जिताः
M. N. Dutt: As seeds scattered on the soil grow, and yield a goodly crop, so all one's wishes become successful on account of his making gifts of earth.
आदित्यो वरुणो विष्णुर्ब्रह्मा सोमो हुताशनः शूलपाणिश्च भगवान्प्रतिनन्दन्ति भूमिदम्
M. N. Dutt: The Sun, Varuna, Vishnu, Brahmana, the Moon, the FireGod and the illustrious and tridentbearing Mahadeva, all praise the man who makes a gift of earth.
भूमौ जायन्ति पुरुषा भूमौ निष्ठां व्रजन्ति च चतुर्विधो हि लोकोऽयं योऽयं भूमिगुणात्मकः
M. N. Dutt: Living creatures originate from Earth and it is to the Earth that they return when they disappear. Living creatures which are divided into four classes have Earth for their primordial essence.
एषा माता पिता चैव जगतः पृथिवीपते नानया सदृशं भूतं किंचिदस्ति जनाधिप
M. N. Dutt: The Earth is both the mother and father of the universe of creatures, O king. There is no element, O king, that can compare with Earth.
Supplementary Passages:
13.61.47 After 47, D10 T2.3 G4 ins.: *341 सौवर्णा यत्र प्रासादा वसोर्धाराश्च कामदाः गन्धर्वाप्सरसो यत्र तत्र गच्छन्ति भूमिदाः
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् बृहस्पतेश्च संवादमिन्द्रस्य च युधिष्ठिर
M. N. Dutt: About it is cited the old discourse between the celestial preceptor Brihaspati and Indra the kung of Heaven, O Yudhishthira.
इष्ट्वा क्रतुशतेनाथ महता दक्षिणावता मघवा वाग्विदां श्रेष्ठं पप्रच्छेदं बृहस्पतिम्
M. N. Dutt: Having worshipped Vishnu in a hundred sacrifices each of which was famous for plentiful gifts, Maghavat put this question to Brihaspati, that foremost of all orators.
भगवन्केन दानेन स्वर्गतः सुखमेधते यदक्षयं महार्घं च तद्ब्रूहि वदतां वर
M. N. Dutt: Maghavat said O illustrious one, by what gift does one succeed in coming to the celestial region and acquiring beatitude? O foremost of speakers, do you tell me of that gift which yields high and eternal merit.
इत्युक्तः स सुरेन्द्रेण ततो देवपुरोहितः बृहस्पतिर्महातेजाः प्रत्युवाच शतक्रतुम्
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Thus addressed by the king of the celestials, the preceptor of the gods, viz., Brihaspati of great energy, said these words in reply to him of a hundred sacrifices.
सुवर्णदानं गोदानं भूमिदानं च वृत्रहन् दददेतान्महाप्राज्ञः सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
M. N. Dutt: Brihaspati said Gift of gold, gift of kine, and gift of earth, by these, O destroyer of Vritra, one becomes cleansed, O you of great wisdom, of all sins.
Supplementary Passages:
13.61.52 After 52ab, D10 S (except T1) ins.: *342 विद्यादानं च कन्यानां दानं पापहरं परम्
न भूमिदानाद्देवेन्द्र परं किंचिदिति प्रभो विशिष्टमिति मन्यामि यथा प्राहुर्मनीषिणः
M. N. Dutt: There is no gift, O king of the celestials, higher than the gift of earth, O powerful one. I consider this gift as the most superior, according to what has been declared by the wise.
Supplementary Passages:
13.61.53 D10 T G ins. after 53: M after 55: *343 ब्राह्मणार्थे गवार्थे वा राष्ट्रघातेऽथ स्वामिनः कुलस्त्रीणां परिभवे मृतास्ते भूमिदैः सह
ये शूरा निहता युद्धे स्वर्याता दानगृद्धिनः सर्वे ते विबुधश्रेष्ठ नातिक्रामन्ति भूमिदम्
M. N. Dutt: Those heroes who, fearless of battle, give their lives in battle with enemies, come to Heaven. How high sover their end, none of them can get over the giver of earth.
भर्तुर्निःश्रेयसे युक्तास्त्यक्तात्मानो रणे हताः ब्रह्मलोकगताः शूरा नातिक्रामन्ति भूमिदम्
M. N. Dutt: Those men who, disregarding their bodies, give their lives in battle while working for the behoof of their masters, ascend to the region of Brahman himself. But even they are unable to get over the giver of earth.
पञ्च पूर्वादिपुरुषाः षट्च ये वसुधां गताः एकादश ददद्भूमिं परित्रातीह मानवः
M. N. Dutt: By making a gift of earth one rescues these eleven, viz., five generations of ancestors and six generations of descendants.
रत्नोपकीर्णां वसुधां यो ददाति पुरंदर स मुक्तः सर्वकलुषैः स्वर्गलोके महीयते
M. N. Dutt: That person, O Purandara, who makes a gift of earth rich with jewels and gems becomes purged off of all his sins and is highly respected in the celestial region.
महीं स्फीतां ददद्राजा सर्वकामगुणान्विताम् राजाधिराजो भवति तद्धि दानमनुत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: If a person, O king, makes a gift of rich and fertile earth that is capable of granting every wish he succeeds in attaining to the position of a king of kings (in his next life). A gift of earth, therefore, is the foremost of all gifts.
सर्वकामसमायुक्तां काश्यपीं यः प्रयच्छति सर्वभूतानि मन्यन्ते मां ददातीति वासव
M. N. Dutt: That person, O Vasava, who makes a gift of earth capable of satisfying every wish with fruition is considered as making a gift of every object in the world,
सर्वकामदुघां धेनुं सर्वकामपुरोगमाम् ददाति यः सहस्राक्ष स स्वर्गं याति मानवः
M. N. Dutt: That man who gives away a cow endued with every accomplishment and granting the fruition of every desire, succeeds O you of a thousand eyes, in attaining the celestial region.
मधुसर्पिःप्रवाहिन्यः पयोदधिवहास्तथा सरितस्तर्पयन्तीह सुरेन्द्र वसुधाप्रदम्
M. N. Dutt: The giver of earth, O king of the celestials, is pleased when he comes to Heaven by hundreds of rivers which run honey an i ghee and milk and curds,
भूमिप्रदानान्नृपतिर्मुच्यते राजकिल्बिषात् न हि भूमिप्रदानेन दानमन्यद्विशिष्यते
M. N. Dutt: A king, by making gifts of earth, is purged off of all his sins. There is no gift, therefore, which is superior to the gift of earth.
ददाति यः समुद्रान्तां पृथिवीं शस्त्रनिर्जिताम् तं जनाः कथयन्तीह यावद्धरति गौरियम्
M. N. Dutt: That king who gives away the Earth bounded by the ocean, after having conquered it with the help of his weapons, is talked of by all men and his memory lasts as long as the mountains last on the surface of Earth.
पुण्यामृद्धरसां भूमिं यो ददाति पुरंदर न तस्य लोकाः क्षीयन्ते भूमिदानगुणार्जिताः
M. N. Dutt: Gifted as he is with merits that belong to the gift of earth, the region of happiness reserved for the person who makes gift of such earth as is auspicious and rich with every taste, never become exhausted.
सर्वथा पार्थिवेनेह सततं भूतिमिच्छता भूर्देया विधिवच्छक्र पात्रे सुखमभीप्सता
M. N. Dutt: That king, O Shakra, who wishes to have prosperity and who wishes to acquire happiness for himself, should always make gifts of earth, with due rites, to worthy persons.
Supplementary Passages:
13.61.65 After 65, G1.3 ins.: *344 स्वनिर्जितां स्वयंक्रीतां भृतां च वार्पयेन्नृप While M ins. after 65: G1.3 after 77: *345 सुनिर्मितां सुविक्रीतां सुभृतां वापि यन्नृपः
अपि कृत्वा नरः पापं भूमिं दत्त्वा द्विजातये समुत्सृजति तत्पापं जीर्णां त्वचमिवोरगः
M. N. Dutt: If after committing numerous sins a person makes gifts of carth to the twiceborn class, he leaves off all those sins like a snake casting off its slough.
सागरान्सरितः शैलान्काननानि च सर्वशः सर्वमेतन्नरः शक्र ददाति वसुधां ददत्
M. N. Dutt: The person who makes a gift of earth is said to make gifts of everything, that is, of seas and rivers and mountains and forests.
तडागान्युदपानानि स्रोतांसि च सरांसि च स्नेहान्सर्वरसांश्चैव ददाति वसुधां ददत्
M. N. Dutt: By making a gift of earth, the person is said to give away lakes and tanks and wells and rivers. On account of the moisture of earth, one is said to give away articles of various tastes by making a gift of earth.
ओषधीः क्षीरसंपन्ना नगान्पुष्पफलान्वितान् काननोपलशैलांश्च ददाति वसुधां ददत्
M. N. Dutt: The man who makes a gift of earth is considered as giving away herbs and plants possessed of high and efficacious virtues, trees adorned with flowers and fruit, charming forests, and hillocks.
अग्निष्टोमप्रभृतिभिरिष्ट्वा च स्वाप्तदक्षिणैः न तत्फलमवाप्नोति भूमिदानाद्यदश्नुते
M. N. Dutt: The merit which a person acquires by making a gift of earth is incapable of being acquired by the performance of even such great sacrifices as the Agnishtoma and others with profuse gifts in the shape of Dakshina.
दाता दशानुगृह्णाति दश हन्ति तथा क्षिपन् पूर्वदत्तां हरन्भूमिं नरकायोपगच्छति
M. N. Dutt: The giver of earth, it has been already said, rescues ten generations of both his paternal and maternal families. Likewise, by taking away earth that was given away, one sinks himself into hell and casts ten generations of both one's paternal and maternal lines into the same place of misery.
न ददाति प्रतिश्रुत्य दत्त्वा वा हरते तु यः स बद्धो वारुणैः पाशैस्तप्यते मृत्युशासनात्
M. N. Dutt: That man who having promised to make a gift of earth does not actually make it, or who having made a gift resumes it, has to pass a long time, in great misery on account of being tied with the noose of Varuna at the command of Death.
आहिताग्निं सदायज्ञं कृशभृत्यं प्रियातिथिम् ये भरन्ति द्विजश्रेष्ठं नोपसर्पन्ति ते यमम्
M. N. Dutt: Those men have never to go to Yama who honour and adore those foremost of Brahmanas who pour libations every day on their domestic fire, who are always always engaged in the performance of sacrifices, who have scanty means of livelihood, and who receive with hospitality every guest seeking shelter in their houses.
ब्राह्मणेष्वृणभूतं स्यात्पार्थिवस्य पुरंदर इतरेषां तु वर्णानां तारयेत्कृशदुर्बलान्
M. N. Dutt: The king, O Purandara, should free himself from the debt he owes to the Brahmanas and protect the helpless and the weak of the other castes.
नाच्छिन्द्यात्स्पर्शितां भूमिं परेण त्रिदशाधिप ब्राह्मणाय सुरश्रेष्ठ कृशभृत्याय कश्चन
M. N. Dutt: The king should never resume, O chief of gods, earth that has been given away by another to a Brahmana. O king, of the celestials, who is destitute of the means of life.
अथाश्रु पतितं तेषां दीनानामवसीदताम् ब्राह्मणानां हृते क्षेत्रे हन्यात्त्रिपुरुषं कुलम्
M. N. Dutt: The tears that would drop from the eyes of such cheerless and destitute Brahmaras on account of their lands being resumed, are capable of destroying the ancestors and descendants to the third generation of the resumer.
भूमिपालं च्युतं राष्ट्राद्यस्तु संस्थापयेत्पुनः तस्य वासः सहस्राक्ष नाकपृष्ठे महीयते
M. N. Dutt: That man who reinstates a king driven away from his kingdom, gets residence in Heaven and is much honoured by the denizens thereof.
Supplementary Passages:
13.61.77 After 77, G1.3 ins. 345*; while M1.2.4 ins. after 77: *346 हृते क्षेत्रे दरिद्राणामश्रुपातः सुदारुणः इष्टापूर्तं नरस्यास्य हन्यात्त्रिपुरुषं कुलम्
इक्षुभिः संततां भूमिं यवगोधूमसंकुलाम् गोश्ववाहनसंपूर्णां बाहुवीर्यसमार्जिताम्
AI Translation: The land was covered with sugarcane, filled with barley and wheat, Filled with horses and chariots, conquered by the strength of arms.
Supplementary Passages:
13.61.78 After 78ab, M1-3 ins.: *347 कदलीवनसाम्राद्यैः सुपूर्णां स्पर्शयेन्महीम् After 78, S ins.: *348 विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः स्वर्गलोके महीयते
निधिगर्भां ददद्भूमिं सर्वरत्नपरिच्छदाम् अक्षयाँल्लभते लोकान्भूमिसत्रं हि तस्य तत्
AI Translation: Giving land with a treasure inside, surrounded by all jewels, he obtains inexhaustible worlds, for that is his sacrifice of land.
विधूय कलुषं सर्वं विरजाः संमतः सताम् लोके महीयते सद्भिर्यो ददाति वसुंधराम्
M. N. Dutt: That king who makes a gift of earth is purged off of every sin and, therefore, is pure and liked by the righteous. In this world he is highly honoured and praised by all righteous men.
यथाप्सु पतितः शक्र तैलबिन्दुर्विसर्पति तथा भूमिकृतं दानं सस्ये सस्ये विसर्पति
M. N. Dutt: The merit of a gift of earth increases every time the earth given away bears crops for the benefit of the owner, as a drop of oil, falling upon water, is seen to extend on every side, and cover the watery surface.
ये रणाग्रे महीपालाः शूराः समितिशोभनाः वध्यन्तेऽभिमुखाः शक्र ब्रह्मलोकं व्रजन्ति ते
M. N. Dutt: Those heroic kings and ornaments of assemblies who give their lives in battle with faces towards the foe, attain, O Shakra, to the region of Brahman.
नृत्यगीतपरा नार्यो दिव्यमाल्यविभूषिताः उपतिष्ठन्ति देवेन्द्र सदा भूमिप्रदं दिवि
M. N. Dutt: Beautiful ladies skilled in music and dancing and adorned with garlands of celestial flowers, approach, O king of the deities, the giver of earth as he comes to Heaven departing from the Earth.
मोदते च सुखं स्वर्गे देवगन्धर्वपूजितः यो ददाति महीं सम्यग्विधिनेह द्विजातये
M. N. Dutt: That king who makes gifts of Earth with due rites to persons of the twiceborn order, sports in bliss in the celestial regions, worshipped all the while by the celestials and Gandharvas.
शतमप्सरसश्चैव दिव्यमाल्यविभूषिताः उपतिष्ठन्ति देवेन्द्र सदा भूमिप्रदं नरम्
M. N. Dutt: One hundred Apsaras, adorned with celestial garlands, approach, O king of the deities, the giver of earth as he ascends to the region of Brahman.
Supplementary Passages:
13.61.85 After 85c, N ins.: *349 ब्रह्मलोके धराप्रदम् उपतिष्ठन्ति भूतानि
शङ्खं भद्रासनं छत्रं वराश्वा वरवारणाः भूमिप्रदानात्पुष्पाणि हिरण्यनिचयास्तथा
AI Translation: Conch, auspicious seat, umbrella, excellent horses, excellent elephants, Flowers and heaps of gold due to the gift of land.
आज्ञा सदाप्रतिहता जयशब्दो भवत्यथ भूमिदानस्य पुष्पाणि फलं स्वर्गः पुरंदर
AI Translation: The command is always unimpeded, and the sound of victory arises. The flowers of giving land are the fruit, heaven, O Purandara.
हिरण्यपुष्पाश्चौषध्यः कुशकाञ्चनशाड्वलाः अमृतप्रसवां भूमिं प्राप्नोति पुरुषो ददत्
AI Translation: The herbs with golden flowers, the Kuśa grass, gold, and Shaḍvala The man who gives attains the earth that gives forth nectar.
नास्ति भूमिसमं दानं नास्ति मातृसमो गुरुः नास्ति सत्यसमो धर्मो नास्ति दानसमो निधिः
M. N. Dutt: A person by making a gift of earth wins in his next lifenectargiving earth. There is no gift equal to a gift of earth. There is none worthy of greater respect than the mother. There is no duty higher than truth. There is no riches more valuable than that which is given away.
एतदाङ्गिरसाच्छ्रुत्वा वासवो वसुधामिमाम् वसुरत्नसमाकीर्णां ददावाङ्गिरसे तदा
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Hearing these words from the son of Angiras, Vasava made a gift to him of the whole Earth with all her jewels and gems and all her riches.
य इमं श्रावयेच्छ्राद्धे भूमिदानस्य संस्तवम् न तस्य रक्षसां भागो नासुराणां भवत्युत
M. N. Dutt: If these verses describing the merit of the gifts of earth be recited on the occasion of a Shraddha, neither Rakshasas nor Asuras can succeed in getting any share of the offering made in it.
अक्षयं च भवेद्दत्तं पितृभ्यस्तन्न संशयः तस्माच्छ्राद्धेष्विदं विप्रो भुञ्जतः श्रावयेद्द्विजान्
M. N. Dutt: Forsooth, the offerings one makes to the departed manes at such a Shraddha become unending. Hence on occasions of Shraddhas, the learned man should recite these verses on the subject of the merits of the gifts of earth, in the presence and hearing of the invited Brahmanas when engaged in eating.
इत्येतत्सर्वदानानां श्रेष्ठमुक्तं तवानघ मया भरतशार्दूल किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि
M. N. Dutt: I have thus, O chief of the Bharatas, described to you that gift which is the foremost of all gifts. What else do you wish to hear?