Yudhishthira said O Bharata, O grandfather, you opine that a man attains to heaven by virtue of generousity and austerity, but my mind is doubtful on affirming the same. Kindly let me have an adequate solution. kindly tell me which of the two is better, viz., charity or devotion?

Bhishma said Listen to me as I recite the names of the princes who having been devoted to virtue, and having purified their hearts by penances and practiced gifts and other acts of virtue, undoubtedly acquire the different celestial regions.

The Rishi Atreya respected of all, attained, O king, to the excellent celestial regions by importing the knowledge of the limitless Supreme Being to his pupils.

By offering the life of his dear son, for the behoof of a Brahmana king Shibi the son of Ushinara was taken from this world to the celestial regions

Pratardana the king of Kashi, secured to himself unique and eternal fame in this as well as in the other world by giving his son to a Brahmana.

Rantideva, the son of Sangakriti, attained to the highest heaven by duly making gifts to the great Vasishtha.

Devavriddha, too went to the celestial region by giving a hundred ribbed and excellent golden umbrella to a Brahmana for a sacrifice.

The worshipful Ambarisha too, has acquired the celestial region by making a gift of all his kingdom to a highly powerful Brahmana.

King Janamejaya of the solar race, went to the highest heaven by making a gift of earrings, fine vehicles and cows to Brahmanas,

The Royal Sage Vrishadarvi went to the celestial region by making gifts of various jewels and beautiful houses to Brahmanas,

King Nimi of Vidarbha, acquired the celestial region with his sons, friends and cattle by giving his daughter and kingdom to the great Agastya.

The illustrious Rama, the son of Jamadagni, acquired the eternal regions, far beyond his expectation by giving lands to Brahmanas.

Vasishtha, the greatest of Brahmanas, saved all the creatures at a time of great drought when the Rain God did not bestow his grateful showers upon the Earth, and for this deed he has secured eternal bliss himself.

The highlyillustrious Rama the son Dasharatha, acquired the eternal regions by making gifts of riches at sacrifices,

The illustrious Royal Sage Kakshasena went to the celestial region by duly making over to the great Vasishtha the wealth which he had deposited with him.

Forthwith Maruta the son of Avikshita and the grandson of Karandhama, by giving his daughter in marriage to Angirasa, went to the celestial regions.

The highly devout king of Panchala, Brahmadatta, attained the blessed way by giving away a valuable conchshell.

King Mitrasaha ascended to Heaven by giving his favourite wife Madayanti to the great Vasishtha.

Sudyumna the son of Manu, attained to the most blessed regions by duly punishing the high souled Likhita.

The celebrated Royal sage Sahasrachitta went to the blessed regions by sacrificing his dear life for a Brahmana.

The king Satadyumna went to heaven by giving to Mudgala a golden palace filled with all the objects of desire.

Formerly, King Sumanyu by giving to Shandilya heaps of food resembling a hill, went to the celestial region.

The Shalva prince Dyutimat of great effulgence attained to the highest regions by giving his kingdom to Richika.

The Royal Sage Madirashva went to the region of the celestials by giving his slender waisted daughter to Hiranyahasta.

The lordly Lomapada attained all the objects of his desire by giving his daughter Shanta in marriage to Rishyashringa.

The Royal Bhagiratha went to the eternal regions by giving his famous daughter Hansi in marriage to Kautsa.

King Bhagiratha acquired the most blessed regions by giving hundreds and thousands of kine with their young one to Kohala.

These and many other men, O Yudhishthira, have attained to the celestial region, by the merit of their charities and penances and they have also returned from there again and again.

Their fame will last as long as the world will last. I have related to you, O Yudhishthira, this story of those good householders, who have attained to eternal regions by virtue of their charities and penances.

These people have acquired the celestial region by their charities and by performing sacrifices and by procreating children.

O foremost scion of Kuru's race, these men devoted their virtuous intellects to the celebration of sacrifices and charities by always performing acts of charity.

O powerful prince, as night has set in I shall explain to you in the morning whatever doubts may spring up in your mind.