प्रवेशयित्वा शय्यासु सभार्यानुपवेशयेत्
After bringing them in, he should seat them with their wives on the beds.
यद्यस्य विहितं पूर्वं तत्तस्य प्रतिपादयेत्
Whatever has been previously ordained for each, that should be given to them.
तव विप्र प्रसादेन ममास्त्वभिमतं फलम्
"By your favor, O Brahmin, may I obtain my desired result."
गृहोपकरणैस्तुल्या दक्षिणा भवनं विना
A gift equal in value to the house should be given in the form of household items, if not the house itself.
उपदेष्टारमापृच्छेत्तन्मूलत्वान्महर्षयः 4.168.
One should ask the instructor, for the great sages are the root cause of this.
दद्यादनेन विधिना गृहमेकं बहूनपि
By this method, one should give a house—whether one or many.
शीतवातातपहरं दत्त्वा तृणकुटीरकम्
Having given a hut of grass that protects from cold, wind, and sun,
किं पुनर्बहुनोक्तेन सर्वोपस्करभूषिताम्
What need is there to say much more, if it is furnished with all equipment?
गोभूहिरण्यदानानि यमाः सनियमास्तथा
The gifts of cows, land, and gold, along with vows and restraints,
यः कारयेत्सुदृढहर्म्यवती महार्हा सत्सेवितां द्विजपुरीं सुजनोपभोग्याम्
Whoever causes to be built a strong, splendid mansion, a city for twice-born, well-served by the virtuous and fit for good people,
इति श्रीभविष्ये महापुराण उत्तरपर्वणि श्रीकृष्णयुधिष्ठिरसंवादे गृहदानविधिवर्णनं नामाष्टषष्ट्युत्तरशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the glorious Bhavishya Mahapurana, in the Uttara Parva, in the dialogue of Sri Krishna and Yudhishthira, the one hundred sixty-eighth chapter named 'Description of the Method of House Donation' is concluded.
अन्नदानमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् यत्प्रोक्तमृषिभिः पूर्वं तदिहैकमनाः शृणु
Now, listen attentively to what was formerly spoken by the sages regarding the greatness of food donation.
ददस्वान्नं ददस्वान्नं ददस्वान्नं युधिष्ठिर
Give food, give food, give food, O Yudhishthira.
रामेण दशरथिना वनस्थेन निजानुजः
By Rama, the son of Dasharatha, while dwelling in the forest, along with his own younger brother,
पृथिव्यामन्नपूर्णायां वयमन्नस्य कांक्षिणः
On this earth, though filled with food, we are desirous of food.
यदुच्यते कर्मबीजं तस्यावश्यं फलं नरैः
Whatever is called the seed of action, its fruit must surely be obtained by men.
यत्र प्राप्यं तदप्राप्यं विद्यया पौरुषेण वा
Whatever is attainable or unattainable, whether by knowledge or by effort,
भक्षोपयोगादन्नस्य दानं श्रेयस्करं परम्
The giving of food is the highest and best, surpassing even the use of food for one's own enjoyment.
प्रकारांतरभोज्यानि दानान्यन्यानि भारत
Other kinds of food and other gifts, O Bharata,
बुद्धिश्चार्थात्परो लोभः सन्तोषः परमं सुखम्
Intellect is superior to wealth; greed is the opposite; contentment is the highest happiness.
न सुखं न च सन्तोषो भवेदन्नादृते नृणाम् 4.169.
There is no happiness nor contentment for people without food.
तेनेष्टं बहुभिर्यज्ञैः संग्रामा बहवो जिताः
By that, many sacrifices have been performed and many battles won.
भुक्ता भोगाः सुविपुला शत्रूणां मूर्धनि स्थितम्
He enjoyed abundant pleasures, established upon the heads of his enemies.
स्वर्गं जगाम भुक्त्वा तु पूज्यमानो मरुद्गणैः
Having enjoyed them, and being honored by the hosts of wind-gods, he went to heaven.
तत्रास्ते रममाणोऽसौ साकं विद्याधरैः सुखम्
There he remains, delighting happily together with the Vidyādharas.
गंधर्वैर्गीयते हृष्टैः शक्रेणाप्यनुगम्यते
He is sung by joyful Gandharvas and followed even by Indra.
स च नित्यं वितानाग्र्यादवतीर्य महीतलम्
And he, descending always from the foremost canopy, comes down to the earth.
तच्छरीरं तथैवास्ते रक्षितं पूर्वकर्मभिः
That body of his remains just so, protected by previous deeds.
प्रणम्य प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा निर्वेदादिदमब्रवीत्
Having bowed, with joined palms, in dispassion he spoke this:
सर्वेषामपि संपूज्यः सुराणां सुरपुंगव
He is honored by all, O best of gods, even among the gods.