Shloka 49
Pānīya-dāna and Anna-dāna: The Primacy of Life-Sustaining Gifts (पानीयदान-प्रशंसा / अन्नदान-प्रशंसा)
वाप्यो वीथ्य: सभा: कूपा दीर्घिकाश्वैव सर्वश: । घोषवन्ति च यानानि युक्तान्यथ सहस्रश:
bhīṣma uvāca | vāpyō vīthyaḥ sabhāḥ kūpā dīrghikāś caiva sarvaśaḥ | ghōṣavanti ca yānāni yuktāny atha sahasraśaḥ ||
Bhishma dijo: «En aquellas moradas se hallaban, por doquier, aljibes escalonados y calles, salas de asamblea, pozos y largos estanques; y también había miles y miles de vehículos enjaezados—carros y otros semejantes—que resonaban con un estruendo hondo y rodante.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the marks of a well-ordered and prosperous polity: abundant water-works (wells, tanks, stepwells), organized civic spaces (streets, assembly-halls), and readiness of transport. Implicitly, good governance supports public infrastructure and social stability.
Bhishma is describing the material and civic features present in the setting under discussion—enumerating water sources, public spaces, and the multitude of harnessed vehicles—painting a picture of a thriving, well-equipped habitation.