Mahabharata Anushasna Parva (Dana Dharma Parva) Chapter 64
"'Yudhishthira said, "I have heard the discourse regarding the ordinance about the gift of food. Do thou discourse to me now about the conjunction of the planets and the stars in relation to the subject of making gifts.[1]
"'Bhishma said, "In this connection is recited this ancient narrative of the discourse between Devaki and Narada, that foremost of Rishis. Once on a time when Narada of godlike feature and conversant with every duty arrived at Dwaraka, Devaki asked him this question. Unto her that had asked him, the celestial Rishi Narada duly answered in the following words. Do thou hear as I recite them.
Narada said, 'By gratifying, O blessed lady, deserving Brahmanas with Payasa mixed with ghee, under the constellation Krittika one attains to regions of great happiness.[2]Under the constellation Rohini, one should for freeing oneself from the debt one owes to the Brahmanas make gift unto them of many handfuls of venison along with rice and ghee and milk, and other kinds of edibles and drinks. One giving away a cow with a calf under the constellation called Somadaivata (or Mrigasiras), proceeds from this region of human beings to a region in heaven of great felicity. One undergoing a fast and giving away Krisara mixed with sesame, transcends all difficulties in the next world, including those mountains with rocks sharp as razors. |
References
- ↑ . What Yudhishthira wishes to know is what conjunctions should be utilized for making what particular gifts.
- ↑ Payasa is rice boiled in sugared milk. It is a sort of liquid food that is regarded as very agreeable.
- ↑ Vardhamana, Sarava or Saravika. It is a flat certain cup or dish.
- ↑ Phanita is the inspissated juice of the sugarcane.
Related Articles
|