युधिष्ठिर उवाच इदं देयमिदं देयमितीयं श्रुतिरादरात्। बहुदेयाश्च राजानः किंस्विद् दानमनुत्तमम्॥
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 अतिदानानि सर्वाणि पृथिवीदानमुच्यते। अचला ह्यक्षया भूमिर्दोग्ध्री कामानिहोत्तमान्॥
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 पशून् व्रीहियवांस्तथा। भूमिदः सर्वभूतेषु शाश्वतीरेधते समाः॥
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.
यावद् भूमेरायुरिह तावद् भूमिद एधते। न भूमिदानादस्तीह परं किंचिद् युधिष्ठिर॥
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 सर्वे पृथिव्या इति नः श्रुतम्। भूमिमेव ददुःसर्वे भूमि ते भुञ्जते जनाः॥
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। भूमिभूतिर्महादेवी दातारं कुरुते प्रियम्॥
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 राजसत्तम। पुनर्नरत्वं सम्प्राप्य भवेत् स पृथिवीपतिः॥
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 जह्याद् दद्याच्च पृथिवीमिमाम्॥
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.
इत्येतत् क्षत्रबन्धूनां वदन्ति परमां श्रियम्। पुनाति दत्ता पृथिवी दातारमिति शुश्रुम॥
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 चानृतम्। सैव पापं प्लावयति सैव पापात् प्रमोचयेत्॥
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॥
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 गृह्यं देव्याः सनातनम्। दानं वाप्यथवाऽऽदानं नामास्याः प्रथमं प्रियम्॥
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.
य एतां विदुषे दद्यात् पृथिवीं पृथिवीपतिः। पृथिव्यामेतदिष्टं स राजा राज्यमितो व्रजेत्॥
The gift of earth is desirable. That king who makes a gift of earth to a learned Brahmana, gets from that gift a kingdom.
पुनश्चासौ जनिं प्राप्य राजवत् स्यान्न संशयः। तस्मात् प्राप्यैव पृथिवीं दद्याद् विप्राय पार्थिवः॥
Upon being born again in this world, such a man, forsooth, attains to a position equal to that of a king. Hence, a king, as soon as he gets carth, should make gifts of earth to the Brahmanas.
नाभूमिपतिना भूमिरधिष्ठेया कथंचन। न चापात्रेण वा ग्राह्या दत्तेदाने न चाचरेत्॥
None but a lord of Earth can make gifts of carth. Nor should one who is not a worthy person accept a gift of earth.
ये चान्ये भूमिमिच्छेयुः कुर्युरेवं न संशयः। यः साधोभूमिमादत्ते न भूमि विन्दते तु सः॥
They who desire carth should act thus. That person who takes away earth belonging to a pious person never gets any earth.
भूमिं दत्त्वा तु साधुभ्यो विन्दते भूमिमुत्तमाम्। प्रेत्य चेह च धर्मात्मा सम्प्राप्नोति महद् यशः॥
By making gifts of earth to the righteous, one gets good carth. Of virtuous soul, such a giver acquires great fame both in this world and in the next.
यस्य विप्रास्तु शंसन्ति साधोभूमि सदैव हि। न तस्य शत्रवो राजन् प्रशंसन्ति वसुन्धराम्॥
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.
यत् किंचित् पुरुषः पापं कुरुते वृत्तिकर्शितः। अपि गोचर्ममात्रेण भूमिदानेन पूयते॥
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.
येऽपि संकीर्णकर्माणो राजानो रौद्रकर्मिणः। तेभ्यः पवित्रमाख्येयं भूमिदानमनुत्तमम्॥
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 शश्वत् पुराणा मेनिरे जनाः। यो यजेताश्वमेधेन दद्याद् वा साधवे महीम्॥
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 शङ्करन्नपि पण्डिताः। अशक्यमेकमेवैतद् भूमिदानमनुत्तमम्॥
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.
सुवर्ण रजतं वस्त्रं मणिमुक्तावसूनि च। सर्वमेतन्महाप्राज्ञो ददाति वसुधां ददत्।॥
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 एता वर्तन्ति भूमिदम्॥
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.
भूर्तृनिःश्रेयसे युक्तास्त्यक्तात्मानो रणे हताः। ब्रह्मलोकगताः सिद्धा नातिक्रामन्ति भूमिदम्॥
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 स्वं पुत्रं क्षीरेण भरते सदा। अनुगृह्णाति दातारं तथा सर्वरसैर्मही॥
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.
मृत्युर्वैकिङ्करो दण्डस्तमो वह्निः सुदारुणः। घोराश्च दारुणा: पाशा नोपसर्पन्ति भूमिदम्॥
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.
पितूंश्च पितृलोकस्थान् देवलोकाच्च देवताः। संतर्पयति शान्तात्मा यो ददाति वसुन्धराम्॥
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 वृत्तिग्लानाय सीदते। भूमि वृत्तिकरी दत्त्वा सत्री भवति मानवः॥
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 सवन्ती वत्सला पयः। एवमेव महाभाग भूमिर्भवति भूमिदम्॥
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.
फालकृष्टां महीं दत्त्वा सबीजां सफलामपि। उदीर्णं वापि शरणं यथा भवति कामदः॥
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 वृत्तिसम्पन्नमाहिताग्निं शुचिव्रतम्। नरः प्रतिग्राह्य महीं न याति परमापदम्॥
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॥
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 जामदग्त्येन दत्ता भूः काश्यपाय वै॥
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। अस्मिल्लोके परे चैव तद् दत्तं जायते पुनः॥
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 वेदसम्मिताम्। श्राद्धस्य क्रियमाणस्य ब्रह्मभूयं स गच्छति॥
That Brahmana who recites this great saying of the Vedas at the time of a Shraddha get the highest reward.
कृत्यानामधिशस्तानामरिष्टशमनं महत्। प्रायश्चित्तं महीं दत्त्वा पुनात्युभयतो दश॥
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 वेदवादं तथैव च। प्रकृतिः सर्वभूतानां भूमिर्वैश्वानरी मता॥
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 नृपति श्रावयेदिममागमम्। यथा श्रुत्वा महीं दद्यान्नादद्यात् साधुतश्च ताम्॥
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 राजार्थचाप्यसंशयः। राजा हि धर्मकुशलः प्रथमं भूतिलक्षणम्॥
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 प्रबुध्यन्ति न सुखं प्रस्वपन्ति च॥
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 राष्ट्र नास्याविशन्ति तत्॥ अथ येषां पुन: प्राज्ञो राजा भवति धार्मिकः। सुखं ते प्रतिबुध्यन्ते सुसुखं प्रस्वपन्ति च॥
On account of his deeds of wickedness his subjects become always filled with anxiety. Protection of what the subjects already have and new acquisitions by fair means are events that are not seen in the kingdom of such a king. Those people, again, who have a wise and righteous king, sleep happily and wake up in happiness.
तस्य राज्ञः शुभै राज्यैः कर्मभिर्निर्वृता नराः। योगक्षेमेण वृष्ट्या च विवर्धन्ते स्वकर्मभिः॥
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 कुलीन: स पुरुषः स बन्धुः स च पुण्यकृत्। स दाता स च विक्रान्तो यो ददाति वसुन्धराम्॥
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॥
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 सस्यानि रोहन्ति प्रकीर्णानि महीतले। तथा कामाः प्ररोहन्ति भूमिदानसमार्जिताः॥
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 भगवान् प्रतिनन्दन्ति भूमिदम्॥
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॥
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 पृथिवीयते। नानया सदृशं भूतं किंचिदस्ति जनाधिप।॥
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.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। बृहस्पतेश्च संवादमिन्द्रस्य च युधिष्ठिर॥
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॥
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.
मघवा उवाच भगवन् केन दानेन स्वर्गत: सुखमेधते। यदक्षयं महाघु च तद् ब्रूहि वदतां वर॥
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.
भीष्म उवाच इत्युक्तः स सुरेन्द्रेण ततो देवपुरोहितः। बृहस्पतिवृहत्तेजाः प्रत्युवाच शतक्रतुम्॥
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.
बृहस्पति उवाच सुवर्णदानं गोदानं भूमिदानं च वृत्रहन्। दददेतान् महाप्राज्ञः सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते॥
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.
न भूमिदानाद् देवेन्द्र परं किंचिदिति प्रभो। विशिष्टमिति मन्यामि यथा प्राहुर्मनीषिणः॥
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.
ये शूरा निहता युद्धे स्वर्याता रणगृद्धिनः। सर्वे ते विबुधश्रेष्ठ नातिक्रामन्ति भूमिदम्॥
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.
भर्तुनिःश्रेयसे युक्तास्त्यक्तात्मानो रणे हताः। ब्रह्मलोकगता मुक्ता नातिक्रामन्ति भूमिदम्॥
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 पूर्वा हि पुरुषाः षडन्ये वसुधां गताः। एकादश ददद्भूमि परित्रातीह मानवः॥
By making a gift of earth one rescues these eleven, viz., five generations of ancestors and six generations of descendants.
रत्नोपकीर्णा वसुधां यो ददाति पुरंदर। स मुक्तः सर्वकलुषैः स्वर्गलोके महीयते॥
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 ददद् राजन् सर्वकामगुणान्विताम्। राजाधिराजो भवति तद्धि दानमनुत्तमम्॥
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 काश्यपी यः प्रयच्छति। सर्वभूतानि मन्यन्ते मां ददातीति वासव॥
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,
सर्वकामदुधां धेनुं सर्वकामगुणान्विताम्। ददाति यः सहस्राक्ष स्वर्ग याति स मानवः॥
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.
मधुसर्पिःप्रवाहिण्यः पयोदधिवहास्तथा। सरितस्तर्पयन्तीह सुरेन्द्र वसुधाप्रदम्॥
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 सर्वकिल्बिषात्। न हि भूमिप्रदानेन दानमत्यद् विशिष्यते॥
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 यावद् भवति गौरियम्॥
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.
पुण्यामृद्धिरसां भूमिं यो ददाति पुरंदर। न तम्य लोकाः क्षीयन्ते भूमिदानगुणान्विताः॥
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.
सर्वदा पार्थिवेनेह सततं भूतिमिच्छता। भूर्देया विधिवच्छक पात्रे सुखमभीप्सुना॥
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.
अपि कृत्वा नरः पापं भूमि दत्त्वा द्विजातये। समुत्सृजति तत् पापं जीर्णो त्वचमिवोरगः॥
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.
सागरान् सरितः शैलान् काननानि च सर्वशः। सर्वमेतन्नरः शक्र वसुधां ददत्॥
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। स्नेहान् सर्वरसांश्चैव ददाति वसुधां ददत्॥
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.
ओषधीयम्सम्पन्ना नगान् पुष्पफलान्वितान्। काननोपलशैलांश्च ददाति वसुधां ददत्॥
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। त तत्फलमवाप्नोति भूमिदानाद् यदश्नुते॥
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 हरन् भूमिं नरकायोपगच्छति॥
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 दत्त्वापि च हरेत् तु यः। स बद्धो वारुणैः पाशैस्तप्यते मृत्युशासनात्॥
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 कृशवृत्तिं प्रियातिथिम्। ये भजन्ति द्विजश्रेष्ठं नोपसर्पन्ति ते यमम्॥
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.
ब्राह्मणेष्वनृणीभूतः पार्थिवः स्यात् पुरंदर। इतरेषां तु वर्णानां तारयेत् कृशदुर्बलान्॥
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.
नाच्छिन्द्यात् स्पर्शितां भूमि परेण त्रिदशाधिप। ब्राह्मणस्य सुरश्रेष्ठ कृशवृत्तेः कदाचन॥
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.
यथाश्रु पतितं तेषां दीनानामथ सीदताम्। ब्राह्मणानां हृते क्षेत्रे हन्यात् त्रिपुरुषं कुलम्॥
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 राष्ट्राद् यस्तु संस्थापयेन्नरः। तस्य वासः सहस्राक्ष नाकपृष्ठे महीयते॥
That man who reinstates a king driven away from his kingdom, gets residence in Heaven and is much honoured by the denizens thereof.
इक्षुभिः संततां भूमिं यवगोधूमशालिनीम्। गोऽश्ववाप्तनपूर्णां वा बाहुवीर्यादुपार्जिताम्॥ निधिगर्भो ददद् भूमिं सर्वरत्नपरिच्छदाम्। अक्षयाँल्लभते लोकान् भूमिसत्रं हि तस्य तत्॥
That king who succeeds in making gifts of earth with such crops standing thereon as sugarcane or barley or wheat, or with kine and horses and other draft cattle, earth that has been acquired with the might of the giver's arms, that has mineral in its bowels and that is covered with every kind of wealth on the surface, acquires unending regions of happiness in the next world, and such a king it is that is said to celebrate the earthsacrifice.
विधूय कलुषं सर्वं विरजाः सम्मतः सताम्। लोके महीयते सद्भिर्यां ददाति वसुन्धराम्॥
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 तैलविन्दुर्विसर्पति। तथा भूमिकृतं दानं सस्ये सस्ये विवर्धते॥
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॥
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 तथा भूमिप्रदं दिवि॥
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 सम्यग् विधिनेह द्विजातये॥
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 ब्रह्मलोके धराप्रदम्॥
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.
उपतिष्ठन्ति पुण्यानि सदा भूमिप्रदं नरम्। शङ्खभद्रासनं छत्रं वराश्वा वरवाहनम्॥
Sweetscented flowers, an excellent conch and excellent seat, an umbrella and excellent horses with good vehicles, are always ready for the person who makes gifts of earth.
भूमिप्रदानात् पुष्पाणि हिरण्यनिचयास्तथा। आज्ञा सदाप्रतिहता जयशब्दा वसूनि च॥
By making gifts of earth a king can always command fragrant flowers and heaps of gold. Heaving all kinds of wealth, the commands of such a king can never be disobeyed anywhere and cries of victory welcome him wherever he may go.
भूमिदानस्य पुण्यानि फलं स्वर्गः पुरंदर। हिरण्यपुष्पाश्चौषध्य: कुशकाञ्चनशाद्वलाः॥
The rewards of the gifts of earth consist of residence in the celestial region, O Purandara, and gold, and flowers, and plants and herbs of medicinal virtue, and Kusha and mineral wealth and verdant grass.
अमृतप्रसवां भूमिं प्राप्नोति पुरुषो ददत्। नास्ति भूमिसमं दानं नास्ति मातृसमो गुरुः। नास्ति सत्यसमो धर्मो नास्ति दानसमो निधिः॥
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॥
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 इदं श्रावयेच्छ्राद्धे भूमिदानस्य सम्भवम्। न तस्य रक्षसां भागो नासुराणां भवत्युत॥
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 भवेद् दत्तं पितृभ्यस्तन्न संशयः। तस्माच्छ्राद्धेष्विदं विद्वान् भुञ्जतः श्रावयेद् द्विजान्।।
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.
इत्येतत् सर्वदानानां श्रेष्ठमुक्तं तवानघ। मया भरतशार्दूल किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि॥
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?