ब्राह्मणाय सुशीलाय भूमिं दत्त्वा तु यो नरः 4.164.
The man who gives land to a virtuous Brahmin—
हलकृष्टां महीं कृत्वा सबीजां सस्यमालिनीम्
Having made the earth ploughed, with seed and rich with crops,
धनं धान्यं हिरण्यं च रत्नान्याभरणानि च
Wealth, grain, gold, as well as jewels and ornaments,
सागरान्सरितः शैलान्समानि विषमाणि च
Oceans, rivers, mountains, the even and the uneven—
ओषधीः क्षीरसंपन्ना नानापुष्पफलोपगाः
Medicinal plants rich in sap, bearing various flowers and fruits,
अग्निष्टोमादिभिर्यज्ञैर्ये यजंति सदक्षिणैः
Those who worship with sacrifices like Agnishtoma, always with proper gifts,
श्रोत्रियाय महीं दत्त्वा ये हरंति न मानवाः
Those men who, having given land to a learned Brahmin, do not take it back,
सस्यपूर्णां महीं यस्तु श्रोत्रियाय प्रयच्छति
He who gives land full of crops to a learned Brahmin,
यत्किंचित्कुरुते पापं पुरुषो वृत्तिकर्शितः
Whatever sin a man, afflicted by livelihood, may commit,
सुवर्णानां सहस्रेण यत्पुण्यं समुदाहृतम्
The merit declared for a thousand pieces of gold—
कपिलानां सहस्रेभ्यो यद्दत्तेऽन्नं नरोत्तम 4.164.
The best of men who gives food surpasses a thousand tawny cows.
मध्यमस्य मनुष्यस्य व्यासेन परिसंख्यया
By the reckoning of Vyasa, for a man of middling status—
बहुभिर्वसुधा भुक्ता राजभिः सगरादिभिः
The earth has been enjoyed by many kings, beginning with Sagara and others.
किंकरा मृत्युदंडाश्च असिपत्रवनादयः
There are servants wielding the rod of death, and forests of sword-leaves and the like.
निरया रौरवाद्याश्च कुंभीपाकः सुदुःसहः
There are hells such as Raurava, and the exceedingly unbearable Kumbhipaka.
चित्रगुप्तश्च कालश्च कृतांतो मृत्युरेव च
Citragupta, Time, Antaka, and Death himself are there.
रुद्रः प्रजापतिः शक्रो देवासुरगणास्तथा
Rudra, Prajapati, Shakra, and the hosts of gods and asuras as well.
षट्कर्मकृत्सुवृत्ताय कृशाय च प्रियार्थिने
To one who performs the six duties, who is of good conduct, who is emaciated, and who seeks favor—
सीदमानकुटुंबाय श्रोत्रियायाहिताग्नये
To one whose family is in distress, to a learned Brahmin, to one who maintains the sacred fire—
यथा जनित्री क्षीरेण पुत्रं संवर्द्धयेत्सदा
Just as a mother always nourishes her son with milk—
यथा गौर्भरते वत्स क्षीरेण क्षीरमुत्सृजेत् 4.164.
Just as a cow, for the sake of her calf, releases milk—
यथा बीजानि रोहंति जलसिक्तानि भूतले
Just as seeds, when watered, sprout upon the earth—
यथोदयन्सहस्रांशुस्तमः सर्वं व्यपोहति
Just as the rising sun with a thousand rays dispels all darkness—
पर दत्तां तु यो भूमिमुपहिंसेत्कदाचन
Whoever at any time harms land that has been given by another—
स्वदत्तां परदत्तां वा यो हरेत वसुंधराम्
Whoever seizes land, whether given by himself or by another—
रुदतां वृत्तिनाशेन ये पतंत्यश्रुबिंदवः
From those who, losing their livelihood, weep, fall drops of tears.
ब्राह्मणानां हृते क्षेत्रे हर्तुस्त्रिपुरुषं कुलम् अधोमुखश्च दुष्टात्मा कुंभीपाके स पच्यते
When the land of Brahmins is taken, the thief's family for three generations falls; the evil-minded one, head down, is cooked in Kumbhipaka.
दिव्यवर्षसहस्रांते कुंभीपाकाद्विनिःसृतः
After a thousand divine years, he is released from Kumbhipaka.
स्वदत्तां परदत्तां वा यत्नाद्रक्षेद्युधिष्ठिर
Land, whether given by oneself or by another, should be carefully protected, O Yudhishthira.
तोयहीनेष्वरण्येषु शुष्ककोटरवासिनः
In waterless forests, those who dwell in dry hollows—