Shloka 1
Gopradāna-phalasaṃprāpti: Nāciketa’s Vision of Vaivasvata’s Realms (गोप्रदानफलसम्प्राप्तिः — नाचिकेतोपाख्यानम्)
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठका $ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ६५६ “लोक हैं) सप्तषष्टितमो< ध्याय: अन्न और जलके दानकी महिमा युधिछिर उवाच श्रुतं दानफलं तात यत् त्वया परिकीर्तितम् | अन्नदानं विशेषेण प्रशस्तमिह भारत
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | śrutaṁ dāna-phalaṁ tāta yat tvayā parikīrtitam | anna-dānaṁ viśeṣeṇa praśastam iha bhārata ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dijo: «Venerable, he escuchado los frutos de la caridad tal como los has descrito. Sin embargo, aquí, oh Bhārata, se alaba el don de alimento como especialmente excelente».
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Among various forms of charity and their merits, the text highlights anna-dāna (giving food) as particularly praiseworthy, implying its direct role in sustaining life and supporting dharma.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the elder speaker respectfully, saying he has heard the general account of the fruits of giving, and now draws attention to the special praise given to the donation of food, setting up further instruction on its greatness.