Shloka 18
आर्जुन–गन्धर्वसंवादः
Arjuna–Gandharva Dialogue on Honor, Night-Power, and Purohita-Nīti
इतः प्रदाने देवाश्व॒ पितरश्रेति न श्रुतम् । त्वया दत्तेन तोयेन भविष्यन्ति हिताय वै,“यद्यपि ऐसे दानसे देवता और पितर प्रसन्न नहीं होते, ऐसा मैंने सुन रखा है, तथापि आपके द्वारा दी हुई जलांजलिसे वे प्रसन्न होकर अवश्य हमारा हित-साधन करनेवाले होंगे”
Itaḥ pradāne devāś ca pitaraś ceti na śrutam | tvayā dattena toyena bhaviṣyanti hitāya vai ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „Ich habe gehört, dass bei einer Gabe auf diese Weise weder die Götter noch die Ahnen (Pitṛs) wahrhaft zufrieden werden. Doch durch die Wasseropfergabe, die du dargebracht hast, werden sie gewiss erfreut sein und sicher zu unserem Wohle handeln.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even if a ritual form is considered imperfect or traditionally doubted, a sincere offering—here, a water-libation—can still bring about divine and ancestral favor, emphasizing intention and beneficent outcome alongside formal correctness.
Vaiśampāyana comments on an offering of water made by the addressed person, noting that he has heard such a mode of giving is not usually said to satisfy gods and ancestors, yet he affirms that this particular offering will please them and lead to the welfare of those concerned.