All those who follow this teaching attain the highest happiness. Among all acts of generosity, giving land to Brahmins is to be performed with the greatest care and effort. Such a gift brings the giver the supreme liberation—there can be no doubt. The one who donates land reaches the world of Brahma, a realm from which few ever return. This act is known as the greatest of gifts, capable of destroying all sins. Even by giving a small piece of land, measuring just ten hands, one is freed from every sin. Across all the worlds, there is nothing equal to the gift of land. Its merit is so vast and profound that even in a hundred years, I could not fully describe it. Whoever gives even the smallest plot of land becomes, in truth, like Vishnu Himself—there is no doubt about this. The giver of land is Vishnu, and through such giving, one attains union with the Supreme Lord. The fruits of such generosity are immense. By giving land, one obtains the merit equivalent to bathing in the sacred Ganges for three nights. Listen, and I will tell you what reward is gained by donating even a plot the size of a trough: whatever fruit is obtained by performing great sacrifices, that benefit is received in abundance through this act. Hear my words as I declare the merit of giving land. Especially when given on the banks of the Jahnavi, the sacred Ganges, the fruit is certain and sure. This gift destroys all sins and bestows the ultimate reward—liberation itself. Even to hear of this with faith brings the merit of gifting land. Now, listen to the story of a poor man, Bhadramati, who was deprived of all means of livelihood. Though he had nothing, he had heard all the Purāṇas and the treatises on dharma. He had three sons—Kāminī, Mālinī, and Śobhā. Yet, O best of Asuras, all his children were always hungry. Witnessing their suffering, tormented by hunger and with his senses distressed, Bhadramati lamented his fate. He cried out, “Fie upon a life without righteousness! Fie upon a life without reputation! What use are virtues, gentleness, learning, or noble birth if they do not bring well-being? Sons, grandsons, relatives, brothers—none of this matters if fortune does not smile. Whether one is an outcaste or a twice-born, only the fortunate are honored in this world. Indeed, it is wealth that commands respect, regardless of one’s nature. If a person has both prosperity and virtue, he is certainly honored—there is no doubt. But those who are ruled by desire suffer endlessly. For those who serve desire as their mistress, the world itself becomes their master. When pride is destroyed by the enemy called desire, poverty inevitably follows. Who can rescue those who are seized by the great crocodile of utter destitution? And among all the sufferings of poverty, the greatest misery comes from having many sons and wives to care for.” In his sorrow, Bhadramati began to contemplate another act of righteousness that might bring prosperity. He reflected, “It is only because of past good deeds that one is able to give in the present.” Among all gifts, he remembered, the gift of land is declared to be the highest. Having resolved thus, the wise and virtuous Bhadramati, strong in purpose, approached Sughoṣa, the foremost among Brahmins, who was blessed with all prosperity. Sughoṣa, devoted to righteousness, saw Bhadramati, the householder, approaching.