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
viśākhāyām anaḍūvāhaṃ dhenuṃ dattvā ca dugdhadām | sa-prāsaṅgaṃ ca śakaṭaṃ sa-dhānyaṃ vastra-saṃyutam ||
Nārada dit : « Celui qui, sous l’astérisme Viśākhā, fait don d’un bœuf de trait propre à tirer un char, d’une vache donnant du lait, et d’un char muni de ses accessoires, avec du grain et des vêtements, satisfait les dieux et les ancêtres. Après la mort, il obtient un bonheur inépuisable ; de son vivant, il n’est pas accablé par la détresse ; et, quittant ce monde, il gagne le ciel. »
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.