Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 796
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
पितरस्तेन गच्छन्ति सोमलोकमसंशयम् | जो नदी या तालाबके तटसे अपने सींगोंद्वारा कीचड़ उछालकर खड़ा होता है, उससे वृषोत्सर्ग करनेवालेके पितर निस्संदेह चन्द्रलोकमें जाते हैं
pitaraḥ tena gacchanti somalokam asaṁśayam |
Śakra said: “By that act, the ancestors (pitṛs) go to the Soma-world without doubt.” In context, the verse praises the merit of releasing a bull (vṛṣotsarga): even a seemingly small, compassionate act connected with sustaining cattle and dharmic generosity is held to yield spiritual benefit for one’s forefathers.
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
That dharmic giving—here, the meritorious act connected with vṛṣotsarga (releasing a bull)—is believed to directly benefit one’s ancestors, enabling their attainment of the Soma-world.
Indra (Śakra) is affirming the फल (result) of a prescribed charitable act discussed in this section of Anuśāsana Parva: the Pitṛs of the donor attain Somaloka ‘without doubt’.