Shloka 19
Taḍāga-Phala and Vṛkṣāropaṇa
Merit of Ponds and Tree-Planting
भरतश्रेष्ठ! जो ब्राह्मगको सौ शलाकाओंसे युक्त सुन्दर छाता दान करता है, वह परलोकमें सुखी होता है ।।
bharataśreṣṭha! yo brāhmaṇāya śataśalākāyuktaṁ sundaraṁ chātraṁ dānaṁ karoti, sa paraloke sukhī bhavati. sa śakraloke vasati pūjyamāno dvijātibhiḥ; apsarobhiś ca satataṁ devaiś ca, bharatarṣabha, bharatabhūṣaṇa.
Bhishma said: “O best of the Bharatas! Whoever gives a beautiful umbrella fitted with a hundred ribs to a Brahmin becomes happy in the next world. Honoured continually by the twice-born, by the gods, and by the Apsarases, he dwells in Śakra’s (Indra’s) heaven.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that dāna (charitable giving), specifically gifting a well-made protective umbrella to a Brahmin, is a dharmic act that yields happiness in the afterlife and honour in Indra’s heaven. The umbrella symbolizes protection and relief, so giving it represents compassionate support and respect.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira about the fruits of various gifts. Here he describes the heavenly reward and continual honour granted to one who donates a fine, many-ribbed umbrella to a Brahmin.