Shloka 32
Pānīya-dāna and Anna-dāna: The Primacy of Life-Sustaining Gifts (पानीयदान-प्रशंसा / अन्नदान-प्रशंसा)
अन्नप्रणाशे भिद्यन्ते शरीरे पजच धातव: । बल॑ बलवतो<पीह प्रणश्यत्यन्नहानित:
annapraṇāśe bhidyante śarīre pañca dhātavaḥ | balaṃ balavato 'pīha praṇaśyaty annahānitaḥ ||
नारद ने कहा— अन्न का नाश हो जाने पर शरीर में स्थित पाँच धातुएँ/तत्त्व विखर जाते हैं। अन्न की हानि से इस लोक में बलवानों का भी बल नष्ट हो जाता है।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Food is the foundation of bodily integrity and strength; deprivation of nourishment causes the body’s sustaining constituents to deteriorate, so ethical life includes ensuring sustenance—both for oneself and for others.
Nārada is instructing by stating a practical truth: when food is lacking, the body’s internal supports break down and even the powerful lose their vigor—underscoring the moral and social importance of providing food and preventing hunger.