Mahabharata 3.201.54 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 201, Shloka 54
Dharma-vyādha’s Analysis of Moral Decline and the Mahābhūta–Guṇa Schema (धर्मव्याधोपदेशः)
पानीयदा हाूतृषिता: प्रह्ृष्टमनसो नरा: । पन्थानं द्योतयन्तश्न यान्ति दीपप्रदा: सुखम्
pānīyadā hātṛṣitāḥ prahṛṣṭamanaso narāḥ | panthānaṃ dyotayantaś ca yānti dīpapradāḥ sukham ||
ज्यांनी पाण्याचे दान केले आहे, त्यांना तहान लागण्याचे दुःख भोगावे लागत नाही; ते प्रसन्नचित्ताने त्या लोकास जातात. आणि दीपदान करणारे मनुष्य मार्ग उजळत उजळत सुखाने प्रवास करतात.
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.
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