Shloka 16
Gopradāna-phalasaṃprāpti: Nāciketa’s Vision of Vaivasvata’s Realms (गोप्रदानफलसम्प्राप्तिः — नाचिकेतोपाख्यानम्)
तच्च दद्यान्नरो नित्यं यदीच्छेद् भूतिमात्मन:
tac ca dadyān naro nityaṁ yad icched bhūtim ātmanaḥ |
ビーシュマは言った。「自らの安寧を願う者は、日々、水を施すべきである。水の布施は、この世において富と名声と寿命を増すと説かれる。クンティの子よ、水を与える者は、敵に対しても常に優位に立つ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that daily charity—specifically giving water—is a simple, universally accessible dharmic act that promotes one’s welfare, increasing prosperity, reputation, and longevity, and confers moral and social superiority even over adversaries.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs a Pandava (addressed as ‘son of Kunti’) on duties and virtues. Here he recommends the regular practice of jaladāna, presenting it as a powerful, practical form of charity with tangible and spiritual benefits.