Shloka 19
Tilā-Dāna, Dīpa-Dāna, and Nitya-Jalapradāna
Yama–Brāhmaṇa Saṃvāda) | तिलदान-दीपदान-नित्यजलप्रदान (यम-ब्राह्मण संवाद
विशाखायामनडूवाहं थेनुं दत्त्वा च दुग्धदाम् । सप्रासंगं च शकटं सधान्यं वस्त्रसंयुतम्,जो विशाखा नक्षत्रमें गाड़ी ढोनेवाले बैल, दूध देनेवाली गाय, धान्य, वस्त्र और प्रासंगसहित शकट दान करता है, वह देवताओं और पितरोंको तृप्त कर देता है तथा मृत्युके पश्चात् अक्षय सुखका भागी होता है। वह जीते जी कभी संकटमें नहीं पड़ता और मरनेके बाद स्वर्गलोकमें जाता है
viśākhāyām anaḍūvāhaṃ dhenuṃ dattvā ca dugdhadām | sa-prāsaṅgaṃ ca śakaṭaṃ sa-dhānyaṃ vastra-saṃyutam ||
Nārada said: “One who, under the asterism Viśākhā, gives in charity a draught-ox fit for pulling a cart, a milk-giving cow, and a cart furnished with its fittings—together with grain and clothing—thereby satisfies the gods and the ancestors. Such a donor attains unfailing happiness after death, is not overcome by distress while living, and, upon departing this world, goes to heaven.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the dharmic value of well-equipped, practical gifts—ox, milch cow, cart with fittings, grain, and clothing—given at an auspicious time (Viśākhā). Such dāna is said to nourish society materially, and spiritually to satisfy devas and pitṛs, yielding protection in life and lasting merit after death.
Nārada is describing a specific charitable observance connected with the nakṣatra Viśākhā. He lists the items to be donated and states the promised fruits: satisfaction of gods and ancestors, freedom from distress while alive, and attainment of heaven and imperishable happiness after death.