Shloka 196
Viṣṇu-sahasranāma—Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Recitation (विष्णोर्नामसहस्रम्)
अन्निहोत्रं च यत्नेन सर्वश: प्रतिपालयेत । उपानह (जूता)
agnihotraṃ ca yatnena sarvaśaḥ pratipālayet | upānahau chatraṃ tathā kapilāṃ gāṃ ca yathocita-rītyā dānaṃ kuryāt | puṣkare tīrthe vedapāragaṃ vidvān brāhmaṇaṃ kapilā-godānena pūjayet, agnihotra-vidhiṃ ca sarvathā yatnapūrvakaṃ pālayet |
Yama lehrt, dass man das Agnihotra in jeder Hinsicht mit Fleiß bewahren soll. Neben dieser disziplinierten Observanz soll man passende Gaben spenden—etwa Schuhwerk und einen Schirm—und insbesondere eine kapilā-Kuh, von fahlbrauner Farbe. Am heiligen Tīrtha von Puṣkara soll ein gelehrter, der Veden kundiger Brahmane durch die Gabe einer kapilā-Kuh geehrt werden, während die Regeln des Agnihotra mit sorgfältiger Mühe in allem zu wahren sind.
यम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is upheld through disciplined ritual observance (especially Agnihotra) and through appropriate charitable giving; honoring Veda-learned Brahmins at sacred places like Puṣkara is presented as a meritorious form of dāna.
Yama is instructing the listener on proper conduct: maintain the Agnihotra carefully and perform prescribed gifts—footwear, umbrella, and notably a kapilā cow—especially as an offering of honor to a Veda-versed Brahmin at Puṣkara tīrtha.