Shloka 45
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
गवां सहस्रद: प्रेत्य नरकं न प्रपद्यते । सर्वत्र विजयं चापि लभते मनुजाधिप,जो एक सहस््र गोदान कर देता है, वह मरनेके बाद नरकमें नहीं पड़ता। नरेश्वर! उसे सर्वत्र विजय प्राप्त होती है
bhīṣma uvāca | gavāṁ sahasradaḥ pretya narakaṁ na prapadyate | sarvatra vijayaṁ cāpi labhate manujādhipa ||
Wahai penguasa manusia, siapa yang mendermakan seribu ekor sapi, setelah wafat tidak jatuh ke neraka; dan di mana pun ia berada, kemenangan pun diraihnya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the dharmic power of dāna (charitable giving), specifically go-dāna: donating a thousand cows is praised as generating great merit, protecting one from post-mortem suffering (naraka) and bringing broad success or victory in life.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhishma instructs a king on dharma and the fruits of various gifts. Here he highlights the exceptional spiritual and worldly benefits attributed to the donation of a thousand cows.