An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s1.430.5

c5.s1.430.5

Asked by *Yudhishṭhira*, *Bhīshma* discussed which gift is more meritorious, that bestowed on one who asks for it or that given to an unsoliciting person (XIII, 60). Asked by *Yudhishṭhira*, *Bhīshma* explained where one meets with the rewards attached to gifts and sacrifices, adducing the instances of king *Çibi* and *Manu* (XIII, 61). Asked by *Yudhishṭhira* what is the best of all gifts, *Bhīshma* declared it to be earth (called, therefore, *Priyadattā*); *Mṛtyu*, etc. (κ), are incapable of touching the person that makes a gift of earth; the verse hearing which [*Rāma*] *Jāmadagnya* gave away the whole earth to *Kaçyapa* is quoted; a gift of earth is a high expiation for the sin of those who betake themselves to *Atharvan* rites in order to do injuries to others; Ā., etc. (β), applaud the man who makes a gift of earth; he further told the old narrative of a discourse between *Bṛhaspati* and *Indra*: having adored *Vishṇu* in 100 sacrifices, *Indra* put this same question to *Bṛhaspati*, and was instructed by him; "that man who does not keep a promise of a gift of earth, or who recalls it, is tied with the noose of *Varuṇa* at the command of Death; those men have never to go to *Yama* who honour and worship brahmans."; that king who makes gifts of earth sports in bliss in heaven, adored by D. and G., and is approached by 100 Aps., etc. *Indra* gave the whole earth to *Bṛhaspati*; if these verses are recited at a *çrāddha* neither Rā. nor As.