Shloka 54
पानीयदा हाूतृषिता: प्रह्ृष्टमनसो नरा: । पन्थानं द्योतयन्तश्न यान्ति दीपप्रदा: सुखम्,जिन्होंने जल-दान किया है, उन्हें प्यासका कष्ट नहीं भोगना पड़ता, वे लोग प्रसन्नचित्त होकर वहाँ जाते हैं। दीपदान करनेवाले मनुष्य उस मार्गको प्रकाशित करते हुए सुखसे यात्रा करते हैं
pānīyadā hātṛṣitāḥ prahṛṣṭamanaso narāḥ | panthānaṃ dyotayantaś ca yānti dīpapradāḥ sukham ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Those men who have given drinking-water do not suffer the torment of thirst; with delighted minds they proceed to that realm. And those who have given lamps travel happily, lighting up the path as they go—teaching that simple gifts offered for others’ relief become one’s own ease and guidance in the hereafter.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the dharmic principle that practical, compassionate gifts—especially water for the thirsty and lamps for those in darkness—return as corresponding relief and guidance to the giver, symbolizing merit that eases one’s journey and state in the hereafter.
Vaiśampāyana describes the fruits of specific acts of charity: water-donors are freed from the suffering of thirst and proceed joyfully, while lamp-donors travel happily by illuminating the path—an image of the post-mortem journey made easier through one’s meritorious deeds.