Shloka 15
Go-dāna-stuti and Ghṛta-Japa
Praise of cow-gift and ghee-centered recitation
गोप्रदानीति वक्तव्यमर्घ्यवस्त्रवसुप्रद: । ऊर्ध्वास्या भवितव्या च वैष्णवीति च चोदयेत्
bhīṣma uvāca | gopradānīti vaktavyam arghyavastravasupradaḥ | ūrdhvāsyā bhavitavyā ca vaiṣṇavīti ca codayet ||
Bhīṣma dit : « On doit le proclamer officiellement “donateur de vaches”, et comme celui qui accorde des offrandes dignes d’honneur, des vêtements et des richesses. On doit aussi l’exhorter à garder le visage levé (dans une confiance de bon augure) et l’appeler, l’encourager comme “Vaiṣṇavī”, dévoué à Viṣṇu. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma emphasizes the dharmic value of dāna (charitable giving): donors of cows and other respectful gifts (honor-offerings, clothing, wealth) should be publicly acknowledged and encouraged, linking generosity with auspicious conduct and Vaiṣṇava devotion.
In Bhishma’s instruction section of the Anuśāsana Parva, he lays down prescriptive guidance on how a giver should be addressed and encouraged—praising the act of cow-gift and other donations, and urging an auspicious, uplifted demeanor along with identification as devoted to Viṣṇu.