[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904) › c5.s1.431 # 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.s1.431 An Index to the Names in the Mahābhārata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s1.431 - **Language:** English ### [c5.s1.431](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s1.431) thira\* as to what gifts kings should make, what gifts immediately gratify the brahmans, what fruits attach to them, what gifts are productive of rewards both here and hereafter, \*Bhīshma\* related the answer he had received from \*Nārada\* when he put the same question to him: a gift of food made to even a \*Cāṇḍāla\* or a dog is never lost; in a former \*Kalpa\* (\*purā kalpe\*) \*Prajāpati\* said that food is \*amṛta\*, etc.; \*Agni\* and \*Soma\* in the body create and maintain the vital seed; thus the sun and wind (\*Pavaṇaḥ\*) and the vital seed spring and act from food; description of the regions of heaven reserved to those that make gifts of food (XIII, 63). \*Yudhishṭhira\* enquired after the conjunctions of the planets and stars in relation to gifts. \*Bhīshma\* repeated the ancient narrative of the discourse between \*Devala\* and R. \*Nārada\* at \*Dvārakā\*, where \*Nārada\* answered this very question. \*Devala\* in her turn told it to her daughters-in-law (XIII, 64). Various merits of various kinds of gifts, \*Bhīshma\* referring to \*Atri\*, etc. (γ); ghee is said to gratify \*Bṛhaspati\*, etc. (δ), (XIII, 65). Asked by \*Yudhishṭhira\*, \*Bhīshma\* commented on the gift of sandals and shoes, and of sesame, and land, and kine, and food; sesame seeds were created by \*Brahmān\* as the best food of the \*Pitṛs\*, etc.; \*Āpastamba\*, etc. (ε), have all ascended to heaven by means of making gifts of sesame seeds. Once the gods, desirous of performing a sacrifice on the earth, repaired to \*Himavat\* and obtained from him a clod of earth (which the \*munis\* should always adore); there came \*Agastya\*, etc. (ζ); the gods attached one-sixth of the merit arising from their sacrifice to the gift of earth; in days of yore king \*Rantideva\* performed a grand sacrifice, in which an immense number of kine were slaughtered; from the juice of their skins the river \*Carmaṇvatī\* was formed; king \*Rantideva\*, in days of yore, ascended to heaven on account of his having given gifts of food; the cow should never be given away for slaughter; what kine should not be given to brahmans; he referred to \*Pāraçara\*; the seasons when gifts of food produce particular merits (XIII, 66). Asked by \*Yudhishṭhira\*, \*Bhīshma\* dealt with the merits that attach to gifts of drink, quoting \*Sāvitrī\* and \*Lomaça\* and \*Manu\*, and mentioning \*Çibi\*; \*Soma\*, etc. (η), has sprung from water; D. have \*amṛta\* for their food, N. have \*Sudhā\*, P. have \*Svadha\* (XIII, 67). \*Yudhishṭhira\* asked about the merits that attach to gifts of sesame and lamps for lighting darkness, as also of food and robes; \*Bhīshma\* told the narrative of the conversation between a brahman and \*Yama\*, in ancient times, in the large town of \*Parṇaçālā\* (inhabited by brahmans) between \*Yamunā\* and \*Gaṅgā\*, at the foot of the \*Yamunā\* hills; one day \*Yama\* commanded a messenger of his (description) to bring the person named \*Carmin\* of \*Agastya's\* race from this town (\*Agastyam gotrataḥ\*), not confounding him with another of the same \*gotra\*; he should be worshipped with respect. The messenger did the very reverse; \*Yama\* ordered the soul to be taken back and \*Carmin\* to be brought; the former, however, first instructed by \*Yama\* regarding his error, the messenger conveyed him back and \*Carmin\* to \*Yama\*, having given him the same respect, ordered him to be taken back to his abode; this \*Carmin\* is regarded as benefiting the world by the power of vision of D. \*Bhīshma\* spoke about a gift of gems (XIII, 68). Asked, without solicitation, reverted to the subject of gifts, with especial reference to the merit of gifts of food, given to a person who is not a beggar, for the sake of the calamity of the world. - [Previous: c5.s1.430.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s1.430.6) - [Next: c5.s1.432](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s1.432) - [Up: c5.s1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s1) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s1.431](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s1.431) · Pramāṇa