Shloka 58
Dharma-vyādha’s Analysis of Moral Decline and the Mahābhūta–Guṇa Schema (धर्मव्याधोपदेशः)
तत्र पुष्योदका नाम नदी तेषां विधीयते | शीतलं सलिल तत्र पिबन्ति हामृतोपमम्,जलदान करनेका प्रभाव अत्यन्त अलौकिक है। वह परलोकमें सुख पहुँचानेवाला है। जो जलदान करते हैं उन पुण्यात्माओंके लिये उस मार्ममें पुष्पोदका नामवाली नदी प्राप्त होती है। वे उसका शीतल और अमृतके समान मधुर जल पीते हैं
tatra puṣyodakā nāma nadī teṣāṃ vidhīyate | śītalaṃ salilaṃ tatra pibanti hāmṛtopamam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: There, a river named Puṣyodakā is ordained for them. In that place they drink its cool water, comparable to nectar—an otherworldly reward granted to the righteous who have practiced the meritorious gift of water, bringing comfort and happiness in the next world.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights jaladāna (the gift of water) as a powerful ethical act whose merit yields tangible comfort in the afterlife—symbolized by access to a cool, nectar-like river reserved for the righteous.
Vaiśampāyana describes a specific otherworldly provision: those who have earned merit (especially through giving water) are granted the river Puṣyodakā, from which they drink cool water like nectar.